Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday lost his cool during the meeting of the Joint Committee on Waqf Bill and smashed a glass water bottle after a heated exchange of words with BJP’s Abhijit Gangopadhyay. The TMC MP hurt his thumb and index finger in the process 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 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 JPC meetings of the panel have seen the opposition members and representatives of BJP and its allies engaging in verbal duels. On Monday also, there were heated exchanges as opposition members raised questions on “the consultative process” over the legislation and BJP members countered them. Yesterday the ministry of minority affairs presented oral evidence on the Waqf Bill.
Some opposition members accused the government of bringing the bill for political reasons and alleged that it was aimed at targeting Muslim community. They also raised questions over “urgency” concerning the legislation.
Sources said AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi gave a nearly one-hour presentation to the JPC, highlighting “the flaws” in the bill. There were verbal clashes between him and BJP members.
