Parliament in Flux: Dissent Over Waqf Bill Leads to Speaker’s Displeasure

Welcome, readers. The ongoing session of the Rajya Sabha has once again been interrupted due to a contentious issue in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report regarding the Waqf bill. This latest development has caused a significant controversy, leading to the opposition’s walkout from the proceedings. Both houses of parliament were initially scheduled to convene at 11 am, but the situation escalated into a ruckus, resulting in an adjournment.

The Rajya Sabha session was briefly reconvened at 11:20 am, whereas the Lok Sabha resumed at 2 pm, facing similar protests from the opposition. Despite the disruptions, the JPC report on the Waqf bill was eventually tabled in both Houses.

Amidst this turmoil, a new legislative measure, the Income-Tax Bill, is set to make its debut. Proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, this legislation aims to replace the existing Income Tax Act of 1961. The new law, expected to come into effect from April 1, 2026, seeks to simplify tax language, eliminating outdated terminologies like ‘assessment year’ to introduce ‘tax year’ instead. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize and streamline the tax system.

Highlights from the Day

11:47 AM, 13 Feb 2025
Cabinet ministers like Rijiju and Dhankhar voiced that the opposition was making unnecessary issues and that the report was entirely tabled. They emphasized that no parliamentary rules were violated and all dissent notes were attached in the appendix.

11:10 AM, 13 Feb 2025
The Rajya Sabha session was adjourned momentarily due to the ongoing protests and ruckus caused by the opposition.

11:09 AM, 13 Feb 2025
The Lok Sabha resumed its proceedings but was adjourned again due to the continued demonstrations by the opposition.

9:04 AM, 13 Feb 2025
The government outlined the details of the Income-Tax Bill, highlighting key changes such as simplifying tax terminology and removing unnecessary provisions to make the law more user-friendly.

4:43 AM, 12 Feb 2025
The Standing Committee report on the Waqf Bill was scheduled for presentation in the Lok Sabha.

4:42 AM, 12 Feb 2025
The Income-Tax Bill was listed for its introduction in the Lok Sabha, signifying the pending reform in tax legislation.

Opposition’s Stand on the Waqf Bill

However, the opposition remains unconvinced. AAP’s Sanjay Singh, a member of the JPC committee, expressed his dissatisfaction with the proceedings. In a statement captured on Twitter, Singh highlighted, “The proceedings of the JPC were turned into a joke… The report over the Waqf bill is nothing more than a travesty of justice.”

VIDEO | Here’s what AAP MP Sanjay Singh (@SanjayAzadSln) said on the JPC report over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill presented in Rajya Sabha.

“I was a member of the JPC committee and I was a part of the entire process. The proceedings of the JPC were turned into a joke… The… pic.twitter.com/6UQtGJLEVq

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 13, 2025

The INC leader, Imran Pratapgarhi, directed his criticism at the grievances of the common public, stating, “Who is satisfied by the exorbitant prices of milk and petrol? Is it the common people or the government’s friends?” His comments echoed the growing public concern over rising costs and inadequate governmental response.

What’s Next in Parliament?

Despite the chaos in the House, the discussion on the Budget continued in the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, the Chairman, Venkaiah Naidu Dhankhar, brought attention to an ongoing issue regarding the Allahabad High Court judge, a matter that has been raised in previous parliamentary sessions.

After a lengthy debate, the question hour concluded, setting the stage for further proceedings. The upcoming session promises to be as crucial as it is volatile, with the government pushing for the Income-Tax Bill amidst protests over the Waqf report.

Conclusion

The current state of parliament reflects the deep divides within the political landscape. As the government moves forward with its legislative agenda, it must address these dissenting voices to restore public trust and maintain parliamentary decorum. The coming days will be pivotal in determining how these issues are resolved and what amendments the coming legislation will bring.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Parliament as Archynetys continues to bring you the latest developments.

Published 13 February 2025, 03:34 IST