Government Open to Include Opposition's Dissent Notes in Waqf Amendment Bill Report

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that the government supports the inclusion of opposition dissent notes in the Joint Parliamentary Committee's report on the Waqf Amendment Bill. Despite opposition protests about exclusion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed all dissent notes were annexed. The debate reflects ongoing contention over the bill.

In a significant development in the parliamentary proceedings, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Thursday that the government does not object to including dissent notes from opposition members in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf Amendment Bill. The report was tabled in Parliament, leading to heated protests from opposition parties who claimed their dissent had been ignored.

Addressing the Lok Sabha amid vocal opposition dissent, Minister Shah emphasized his party's openness to incorporating the opposition's notes following proper parliamentary procedures. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla assured members that all dissent notes had been included after consultations with opposition leaders. The session was adjourned until March 10 following the discussions.

Despite government assurances, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge termed the exclusion of dissent notes as 'anti-democratic,' accusing the report of being biased. In response, BJP's JP Nadda criticized the opposition's protest as 'irresponsible' and insisted on respecting parliamentary traditions. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju further dismissed claims of exclusion, reiterating that all notes were accounted for in the report on the bill aimed at addressing issues within the Waqf Act of 1995.