2024-09-27 05:23:26
New Delhi: When the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) sought everyone’s opinion on the Waqf Amendment Bill, about 1.25 crore feedback were received. Now the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) feels that there is a conspiracy of foreign forces behind this. BJP MP from Godda, Jharkhand, Nishikant Dubey has expressed apprehension about the possible influence of foreign organizations and fundamentalist organizations. He has also demanded a comprehensive investigation led by the Home Ministry to find out where so many feedback came from. The Narendra Modi government at the Center had introduced an amendment bill in the Lok Sabha in the last session to make some important changes in the Waqf Act. The opposition demanded to send the bill to JPC and now this Waqf Amendment Bill is with JPC.
BJP MP wrote a letter to JPC Chairman
Nishikant Dubey is among the members of JPC. He wrote a letter to JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal expressing doubt that such a large number of feedback cannot come naturally from within India alone. He told that the language of many feedback is similar which smacks of conspiracy. Dubey said, ‘The biggest issue is how many of these suggestions came from within India and how many from abroad.’
Conspiracy of Jihadi, radical Islamic organizations?
Dubey specifically named individuals like Zakir Naik and organizations like Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as Pakistan’s ISI and some foreign intelligence agencies, including China, who are engaged in destabilizing Indian democracy. He stressed the need to scrutinize the feedback to protect the integrity of the legislative process. Dubey stressed, ‘Where this feedback comes from, it must be carefully investigated. We cannot allow foreign powers to influence our legislative committees through possible agenda-based inputs.
Kiren Rijiju also expressed concern
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also reiterated these concerns and said that such a huge number of feedbacks does not reflect the normal situation. He said that earlier even if 1,000 feedbacks came, it was considered a lot. Emphasizing the importance of transparency in the process, Rijiju said, ‘Nobody ever thought that the JPC would receive recommendations worth crores.’
Owaisi asked for evidence
Responding to BJP’s demand for a probe, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi challenged the party to present concrete evidence linking Zakir Naik, ISI and China to the feedback submission. He said, ‘If China is involved in this, can China register in India? Do you people have any evidence that ISI, China and Zakir Naik are involved in Waqf? Owaisi asked the question demanding clarity on the allegations.
Waqf Amendment Bill before JPC
The JPC, formed on August 9, 2024, has 31 members. Of these, 21 are MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha. They have the responsibility of gathering opinions and reaching a conclusion on possible amendments in the Waqf Bill. For this reason, the committee had invited ideas and suggestions from various groups, but the overwhelming number of feedback received has further complicated the process. BJP feels that this cannot happen without conspiracy. The question is whether the government will conduct an investigation on the demand of its own MPs?