Parliamentary Commotion Over Waqf Bill and New Income Tax Legislation Dominates Budget Session 2025
In a tumultuous session, Day 9 of the 2025 Parliamentary Budget Session has been characterized by significant uproar regarding the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Allegations from the opposition have erupted, claiming that their dissent notes were dismissed from the report. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has labeled the report as “unconstitutional” and “fake,” demanding its withdrawal from parliamentary consideration.
In the meantime, the Lok Sabha has been adjourned until 2 PM on Thursday, raising further questions over the proceedings of the day. As per sources, a new Income Tax Bill is also expected to be introduced in Parliament today, aiming to replace the complex Income Tax Act of 1961 and streamline the existing legislation.
The Waqf Bill and the Uproar: Who, What, Where, When, and Why?
The tensions surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill erupted in the Rajya Sabha as multiple MPs, including representatives from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), expressed their dissent over the alleged exclusion of important criticism from the JPC report. The JPC was formed six months ago to gather insights on the Bill, which seeks to amend the existing Waqf Act that governs properties of the Waqf community in India.
The report was officially tabled in the Rajya Sabha by BJP member Medha Vishram Kulkarni before being moved to the Lok Sabha for further discussions. The uproar led to a temporary adjournment of the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the contentious atmosphere.
Kharge and his colleagues have raised questions about the integrity of the report, asserting that important dissenting views submitted by various members were omitted. This has set the stage for heated debates among political factions, as the opposition demands transparency and accountability in the parliamentary process.
As per the report by NDTV, debates became particularly animated when Congress President Kharge condemned the bill and urged for a reevaluation of the parameters under which the JPC report was formed, stating, “This is not just a procedural issue; it’s a matter of democratic principles and practices.”
Ongoing Legislative Developments: Income Tax Bill 2025
Simultaneously, the Lok Sabha is gearing up for the introduction of the anticipated Income Tax Bill 2025. This new legislation is designed to modernize the 1961 Act, which has faced criticism for being overly complex and outdated. Sources reveal the Bill aims to simplify tax provisions by altering terminology; eliminating the terms “previous year” and “assessment year,” and replacing them with the concept of a straightforward “tax year.”
The implications of this legislation are extensive, as it plans to streamline 536 sections and 23 chapters into a compact 622-page document without introducing any new taxes or altering existing tax slabs. The expected effectiveness date for this new tax law is April 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in India’s tax landscape.
The introduction of the Income Tax Bill is expected to draw mixed reactions, as the government aims to make the tax structure more accessible to the general populace while keeping the existing benefits intact for taxpayers.
Political Responses to the Parliamentary Proceedings
In response to the unrest within the parliament, Leader of the House JP Nadda remarked on the need for constitutional decorum in parliamentary proceedings. He expressed disappointment over the disruption during the President’s message and emphasized the importance of respectful debate in a functioning democracy. His comments underscore the tensions that have escalated between the ruling party and the opposition, painting a vivid picture of the ongoing discord.
Opposition member Gaurav Gogoi has also criticized the government’s approach to the Waqf Act, alleging that the amendment is politically motivated rather than aimed at genuine improvement. Others like TMC MP Dola Sen have joined the chorus of dissent, arguing that the report’s tabling in the Rajya Sabha before the expected Lok Sabha presentation was inappropriate and yet another sign of governmental overreach.
On the other hand, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has dismissed accusations surrounding the deletion of opposition dissent notes, labeling them as unfounded and asserting that all contributions have been incorporated into the report.
Key Takeaways from the Ongoing Budget Session
As the budget session progresses, multiple key issues remain at the forefront of discussions, notably the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the impending Income Tax Bill. The atmosphere of chaos surrounding the tabling of the JPC report is indicative of deeper political rifts that are being exacerbated by the existing socio-economic conditions in India.
With the opposition staunchly contesting the legitimacy of the parliamentary process, the ruling government faces an uphill battle not just to pass the legislation, but also to maintain parliamentary decorum and integrity. The debates set to unfold around these bills will likely determine the legislative direction of the country in the foreseeable future.
For more related articles on the ongoing Budget Session and the proposed changes in income tax legislation, please refer to the articles on hamslivenews.com.
For more context on the Waqf Act and its amendments, refer to the related articles from The Times of India and Indian Express.