'Opposition charges on dissent note untrue, completely baseless'

AGADAMBIKA Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Panel (JPC) on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, says the bill is needed of the hour as the report is expected to be tabled during the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.

- Preetha Nair

The BJP MP tells Preetha Nair that the new bill will give power to weaker sections in the Muslim community. Excerpts:

The panel report was expected to be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Why was it deferred?

It was listed for Monday. Probably it was not taken up because of the ongoing debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address and Union Budget. I submitted a copy of the report to the Speaker last week. Now it is his call. I hope the Speaker will give a schedule and time slot soon to table the report on the floor of the House.

Two Opposition MPs – AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi and Syed Naseer Hussain of Congress – have alleged that their dissent notes to the report have been redacted by you. Your take?