TMC MP Kalyan smashes bottle at Parliament committee meeting on waqf Bill, suspended

Banerjee and Gangopadhyay are learnt to have had an ugly spat during a discussion on the registration of Waqf properties. After exchanging barbs, Banerjee is learnt to have smashed a glass bottle on the table.

Speaking to reporters later, Pal alleged that Banerjee aimed the bottle at him. “During the meeting today, a violent incident happened. A bottle was broken and an attempt was made to hit the Chair… the way he threw it. Because of God’s kindness, I was saved. He then abused me, and spoke against me outside. I repeat that this kind of behaviour doesn’t have space in a parliamentary democracy.”

When contacted, Banerjee declined to comment, saying he cannot reveal what transpired at the meeting as it is a violation of parliamentary rules.

Following the incident, Banerjee was suspended for a day — whenever the next meeting takes place — after the panel took up a motion moved by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.

“This concerns Parliament. We have made (Lok Sabha Speaker) Om Birla aware about the incident. Because it was such a big incident. We had to adjourn the meeting for the first time. Because the way the incident happened and the bottle was broken… everyone was shocked. There were two witnesses from Odisha, including a former Judge and a senior IAS officer. What message has been sent to the country? Their party (TMC) should also consider what kind of behaviour is this? Where is there place for violence in a parliamentary democracy,” Pal told reporters.

Asked about Banerjee’s allegation of bias, Pal said: “If the Chairman’s attitude is biased, then there is a process. They have written against me to the Speaker.”

On October 15, Opposition members had written to Birla alleging that the “proceedings of the committee were conducted in a biased and partisan manner by the Chairperson, Jagdambika Pal”.

Pal said that Opposition members are given ample opportunities to speak during the panel’s meetings. “Owaisi Sahab said he will speak for one hour, and I let him. No chairman has held deliberations like this. I sit here from morning to evening. This is the first time they are levelling allegations to hide their crimes. I don’t stop anyone from speaking. We have regular meetings. Has any member alleged that Jagdambika Pal doesn’t let them speak. There are parliamentarians from the minority groups there. I care for their sentiments as well. If any member says I don’t let them speak, I will resign from the chairmanship.”

The 31-member committee — tasked by the Lok Sabha to scrutinise the Bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards — has witnessed stormy scenes since the first meeting on August 22.

On Tuesday, it was scheduled to hear the views of Justice in Reality, Cuttack, Panchasakha Bani Prachar Mandali Cuttack, and five IUML MPs.

Last Monday, several Opposition MPs had walked out of the panel’s meeting after a former office-bearer of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and BJP leader made a comment on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, reportedly over allotment of Waqf land.