TMC's Kalyan Banerjee Declares After Waqf JPC Meeting Amid Opposition Walkout

NEW DELHI: TMC MP and Waqf JPC member Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday, while leaving the second round of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill came out shouting, "Dispute resolved, all is well." Banerjee, however, avoided further questions while repeatedly saying, "Whatever has to be said will be said by the chairman. (Jo kuch bolna hai woh chairman bolenge)"

#WATCH | Delhi: While leaving, TMC MP and Waqf JPC member Kalyan Banerjee says, "..Chairman will speak whatever has to be said..." https://t.co/NiAQy0ecMU pic.twitter.com/fo3tUVo5dK

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— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2024

Earlier in the day, along with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, DMK MP A Raja, and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, Banerjee walked out from the proceedings, termed as a "mockery".
Their protest was triggered by JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal's decision to place the draft report of the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha on November 29. Opposition members felt that the time schedule was hasty and did not allow enough consultations with stakeholders.
However, after the re-commencement of discussions, Pal assured that the JPC would seek an extension. "We still have to invite and listen to other stakeholders and state officials from six states where there are disputes between Waqf and state governments, and regarding 123 properties, there is a dispute between the Government of India, Urban Ministry, and Waqf Board. We feel that there is a need to extend," he said.
Congress MP Gogoi alleged pressure to rush the process, saying, "We discussed regarding the extension (of the committee) and we expect a motion to be moved to this effect in the House tomorrow. The assurance from the Speaker has not been fulfilled by the chairman, and the process is far from complete."

#WATCH | Delhi: While leaving, Congress MP and Waqf JPC member Gaurav Gogoi says, "We discussed regarding the extension (of the committee) and we expect a motion to be moved to this effect in the House tomorrow." pic.twitter.com/YJBrle4M6A — ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2024

DMK MP A Raja said that, "the chairman has accepted to have a resolution to be placed in the house tomorrow stating that the period of JPC is further extended to the budget session". 

Other opposition leaders echoed the same concern. "Submission of a draft report without hearing all stakeholders would be a disservice to the process," said AAP MP Sanjay Singh. YSR Congress MP Vijay Sai Reddy also pointed out that many Waqf boards and stakeholders were not consulted and said, "Before the agenda was taken up, non-BJP members requested an extension, but the chairman dismissed our concerns.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, where the opposition members again emphasized that more time was required to ensure a balanced and comprehensive review of the Waqf Bill.