Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee was suspended for a day from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf bill due to his alleged unruly conduct during a meeting ¹. The suspension was a result of Banerjee using “unparliamentary” language against committee chairperson Jagdambika Pal and breaking a glass bottle, which he threw away during a heated exchange with BJP’s Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

The incident occurred when opposition members questioned the stake of retired judges and lawyers in the bill. Banerjee’s actions led to his suspension, with nine votes in favor and eight against. He injured his thumb and index finger and required first aid. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and AAP leader Sanjay Singh escorted him back to the meeting room.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to bring reforms to Waqf property management, including digitization of records, stricter audits, increased transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim occupied properties. Opposition members have accused the government of introducing the bill for political reasons, alleging it targets the Muslim community. The bill has sparked heated debates, with BJP members defending it as necessary for reform and transparency.