Kalyan Banerjee Breaks Glass In Rage During JPC On WAQF, Gets Cut On Finger

New Delhi: A meeting of the Joint Committee on Waqf Bill took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when TMC member Kalyan Banerjee smashed a glass water bottle and threw it away during a heated exchange of words with BJP 's Abhijit Gangopadhyay. During the incident, Banerjee hurt his thumb and index finger and had to be given first aid. He was later seen being escorted back to the meeting room by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and AAP leader Sanjay Singh . The TMC member was also offered soup by the officials.

The committee, chaired by BJP's Jagdambika Pal, was listening to the views of a group of retired judges and lawyers when the opposition members questioned what was their stake in the bill.

The scuffle broke out when the presentation on Odhisa was underway, with retired judges, senior advocates, and intellectuals in attendance. As per sources, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who had already spoken multiple times, attempted to raise an issue out of turn, prompting objections from BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

Sources reported that after Gangopadhyay objected, Banerjee used unparliamentary language, escalating the situation. Both MPs then exchanged further unparliamentary remarks. During the argument, Banerjee slammed a glass bottle on the table, injuring himself.

Why JPC was formed on Waqf Bill and Controversies

A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf is currently reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which includes multiple members from the ruling BJP as well as the opposition to give a consensus on the bill. 

The committee, chaired by  BJP  MP Jagdambika Pal, aims to reform the Waqf Act to ensure that waqf properties are used for the benefit of the community.   In today's meeting, the committee was hearing views and suggestions from representatives of Justice in Reality and Panchasakha Prachar, both based in Cuttack, Odisha . A delegation of five MPs from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will also present their perspectives on the bill.

The JPC has invited public suggestions and is holding meetings to hear views and suggestions from various stakeholders, including representatives from Justice in Reality, Panchasakha Prachar, and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

The Waqf Amendment Bill was presented in the Lok Sabha during the winter session of Parliament and was sent to the JPC for further deliberations.