Owaisi Raises Concerns Over JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal's Karnataka Visit Regarding Waqf Bill

Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of AIMIM, raised concerns on Thursday about Jagdambika Pal's visit to Karnataka. Pal is the Chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf amendment bill. Owaisi expressed hope that the Lok Sabha Speaker would address Pal's actions. He emphasised that the committee should operate collectively and not unilaterally.

Owaisi pointed out that the committee's role is limited to examining the Waqf Bill 2024. It does not have investigative powers. He mentioned this on X, highlighting that a consultation had already been conducted in Karnataka. Owaisi refrained from commenting further due to parliamentary protocols.

Concerns Over Land Designation

During his visit, Pal received over 500 petitions from farmers in northern Karnataka. These farmers claimed their lands were wrongly marked as Waqf properties. This information was shared by Tejasvi Surya's office, a BJP MP from Bengaluru South.

Pal, accompanied by Surya, who is also a member of the Joint Committee, visited several locations including Hubballi, Vijayapura, and Belagavi. They met with farmers and various organisations who voiced concerns about land claims by the State Waqf Board.

The Hyderabad MP reiterated his hope for the Lok Sabha Speaker to take notice of Pal's conduct. He stressed that since the committee's formation, he has adhered to parliamentary procedures and cannot elaborate on Pal's actions.

The visit by Pal to Karnataka was intended to address local issues related to land designation as Waqf properties. However, Owaisi questioned its appropriateness given the committee's defined role.

Owaisi's remarks underline the need for collective decision-making within parliamentary committees. The situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding land ownership and designation in Karnataka.