JPC Chief Criticizes Mamata Govt's Waqf Bill as Minority Appeasement

While the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill brainstorms over the proposed reforms in the contentious legislation, Chairman Jagdambika Pal on Monday took the Mamata dispensation to task for 'disregarding and deriding' the Parliamentary democracy.

The JPC chairman, raging over the Mamata government's resolution against the Centre's Waqf (Amendment) bill, said it was a very objectionable move which was a belittling of the authority of the biggest temple of democracy.

"TMC government is bringing resolution only to send a message to the Muslim community that it stands with them. It is nothing but minority appeasement," he told IANS.

"When JPC is debating the Waqf bill, the Mamata government is bringing a resolution against it. What does it want to achieve with this? Do they have no respect for Parliamentary democracy?" he asked.

Notably, the Mamata-led Trinamool Congress is going to bring a motion in the West Bengal Assembly opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also going to share her views on the bill, which is currently under consideration by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). This has already set the stage for a heated exchange between TMC and Bengal BJP.

He attacked TMC lawmaker and Opposition member of the Parliamentary panel, Kalyan Banerjee for his 'provocative' and communally charged remarks.

"Kalyan Banerjee says that wherever the Muslim community offers prayers, that land will become the property of the Waqf Board. He must give suggestions in JPC meetings rather than loudmouthing in public," said Jagdambika Pal sternly to the TMC lawmaker.

While so, the JPC has called for details from the state governments as to which properties have been claimed by the Waqf Board, invoking Section 40 of the Act. Indeed, Section 40 of the Waqf Act happens to be one of the most contentious provisions, as it purportedly empowers them to decide whether any property belongs to them or not.

Speaking on the issue, Pal said, "We have asked the state governments to share details. If needed, we will summon the chief secretary or minority department secretary of the respective states."