Panel Adopts Report on Waqf Bill by 15-11 Margin Amid Dissent by Oppn

The joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday adopted a report containing the changes to the contentious legislation by a 15-11 vote amid dissent by Opposition lawmakers, people aware of the matter said.

- Vrinda Tulsian

The 31-member panel, the meetings of which were marred by chaos and political jostling, met for the last time as it put to vote the report on the amendments to the bill, which became the latest flashpoint between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Opposition members.

"Today [Wednesday], we adopted the report... Tomorrow [Thursday], we will present this report to [Lok Sabha] Speaker," panel chairman and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagdambika Pal said.

The panel consisted of 18 members from the ruling NDA, 11 from the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), and two others. Six JPC members—JD(U) MP Dileshwar Kamait, nominated member Veerendra Heggade, NCP(SP)'s Suresh Mhatre, former YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy and Congress's MP Gaurav Gogoi - were not present at the meeting.

On Monday, the committee approved 14 amendments to the bill by 16 votes to 10, controversially rejecting all amendments put forth by members from opposition parties, and accepting those put forth by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies as it paved the way for the legislation's introduction in the upcoming budget session.

"We had 44 clauses before us, out of which amendments were proposed by members to 14. We conducted a vote, and these amendments were adopted," Pal said.