Chaos at Waqf panel meet as Opposition objects to participation of ex judges

Several opposition parties, during the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting over the Waqf Amendment Bill, questioned the legitimacy of former judges and intellectuals giving a presentation in favour of the bill, sources told India Today TV. The session, held on Monday, was marked by uproar and frustration from both sides.
As the presenters delivered their remarks during the meeting, several opposition MPs voiced their discontent, leading to a chaotic atmosphere in the Parliament.
One of the Muslim MPs, who is also a member of the JPC, stormed out of the meeting, expressing outrage over the comments made during the presentation and alleging that the group had insulted committee members, sources said.
The former judges and intellectuals were invited to speak by members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition, but opposition MPs challenged their qualifications and the rationale behind their invitation.
Sources also said that a female member who was part of the group of former judges and intellectuals could not give her presentation due to heated arguments between the MPs during the meeting.
The committee meetings have frequently been marked by heated exchanges, with opposition members accusing the chair of inviting various organisations — some of which advocate for Hindu causes — that lack a legitimate interest in Waqf issues. Meanwhile, BJP members have countered these accusations by claiming that their political rivals are intentionally disrupting the proceedings.
Earlier, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee broke a glass bottle and allegedly hurled it towards the JPC chairman during the meeting, leading to his suspension for a day. Three BJP MPs have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding the filing of an FIR against TMC member Kalyan Banerjee and his immediate suspension from the House.