NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee, who hurt his hand after loosing cool during Waqf Board joint parliamentary committee (JPC) meeting on Tuesday, said he’ll keep “fighting against non-secular forces“.
“I will keep fighting against non-secular forces. My fight will continue against the people who are trying to make the character of this country non-secular from secular,” Banerjee told new agency ANI.
The chaotic scenario developed after Banerjee and BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay got entangled in the heated exchange of words.
After verbal spat with Gangopadhyay, the TMC leader smashed the glass water bottle and threw it at panel chairman Jagdambika Pal of the BJP.
In the incident, Banerjee injured his thumb and little finger and required first aid.
Banerjee was suspended for one day under rule 347, with a division vote of 10-8 following the incident.
The resolution moved by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, PTI reported quoting sources.
The committee heard opinions and recommendations from representatives of ‘Justice in Reality‘ and ‘Panchasakha Prachar‘ on Waqf bill.
What led to scuffle
Kalyan Banerjee attempted to speak out of turn, despite having already spoken three times, PTI reported quoting sources.
He sought another opportunity to contribute during the presentation, but Gangopadhyay objected, which led to a heated exchange between them, during which both reportedly used abusive language, leading to the smashing of glass bottle by Banerjee.
As a result of the incident, the meeting was temporarily adjourned. Shortly thereafter, Banerjee received medical attention and required four stitches in his hand, according to sources.
What is Waqf Bill
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to implement reforms by introducing digitization, stricter audits, transparency, and legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
To ensure comprehensive reform, the joint committee is conducting a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives from various states and Union territories.