Fri Jan 24 08:52:50 UTC 2025: ## Opposition Members Suspended Amidst Stormy Waqf Amendment Bill Debate
**New Delhi, January 24, 2025** – The parliamentary committee reviewing the Waqf Amendment Bill witnessed heated clashes today, resulting in the suspension of ten opposition members. The disruptions occurred during a meeting where the committee heard testimony from a delegation led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the religious head of Kashmir, who voiced strong opposition to the bill.
Opposition members accused the ruling BJP of rushing the bill’s passage, alleging insufficient time to review proposed amendments. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and Congress MP Naseer Hussain walked out, denouncing the proceedings as a “farce” and demanding a postponement of further discussions. They called for the next meeting, scheduled for January 27th, to be rescheduled to either January 30th or 31st.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey criticized the opposition’s behavior, claiming it violated parliamentary norms and aimed to silence the majority. The suspensions followed these heated exchanges.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, appearing before the committee for the first time since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, expressed concerns that the bill would disempower Muslims and further inflame tensions in the region. He emphasized the importance of avoiding government interference in religious affairs. His delegation submitted a detailed memorandum outlining their objections. This marked a significant event, as it was his first trip outside the Kashmir Valley since the change in the region’s status.
The committee, chaired by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, will continue its review of the bill. The controversy surrounding the bill highlights the deep political divisions surrounding the legislation.
First Piper 