Watch: TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee says ‘all is well’ after Waqf JPC meeting | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: TMC MP and Waqf JPC member Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday as they watched the second round of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf (amendment) bill came out and shouted: “Dispute resolved, everything is fine.” Banerjee, however, avoided further questions as he repeatedly said, “Whatever needs to be said will be said by the Chairman. (Jo kuch bolna hi woh chairman bolenge)”

Earlier today, Banerjee, along with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, DMK MP A Raja and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, had staged a walkout, accusing the proceedings of being a ‘mockery’.
Their protest was sparked by JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal’s announcement to table the draft report of the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha on November 29. Opposition members argued that the timeline was rushed and did not allow for sufficient consultation with stakeholders.
However, after talks resumed, Pal assured that the JPC would seek an extension. “We still need to invite and listen to other stakeholders and state officials from six states where there are disputes between Waqf and state governments, and in respect of 123 properties there is a dispute between the Government of India, the Urban Ministry and the Waqf Board. We believe there is a need for expansion,” he says.
Congressman Gogoi claimed to exert pressure to expedite the process, saying: “We have discussed the expansion (of the committee) and we expect a motion to this effect will be introduced in the House of Representatives tomorrow. The chairman’s promise has not been fulfilled by the chairman, and the process is far from complete.”

DMK MP A Raja added, “The Speaker accepted to move a motion in the House of Representatives tomorrow that the term of the JPC will be extended for the next budget session.”

Other opposition leaders expressed similar concerns. “Submitting a draft report before 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 several Waqf boards and stakeholders were not consulted and stated, “Before the agenda was adopted, non-BJP members asked for an extension, but the Speaker dismissed our concerns.”

Senior officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs attended the meeting to discuss amendments to the Waqf law, with opposition members reiterating that more time was needed to ensure a balanced and comprehensive review.