On Tuesday, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee was suspended for one day from the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing the Waqf Amendment Bill after he smashed a glass water bottle during a heated argument with BJP MP Abhijit Ganguly. The altercation led to Banerjee injuring his thumb and index finger when he broke the bottle, and he also attempted to throw it toward the committee chairman, Jagdambika Pal.
Medical Assistance:
Following the incident, Banerjee received medical aid, requiring four stitches for his injuries. A video captured moments after the incident showed Banerjee being escorted back to the meeting room by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and AAP leader Sanjay Singh, where he was offered soup by officials.
VIDEO | TMC MP and parliamentary committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill member Kalyan Banerjee (@KBanerjee_AITC) being escorted to the meeting following his treatment after he injured himself as he allegedly broke a glass bottle during the meeting.#WaqfAmendmentBill_2024
(Full… pic.twitter.com/a9B8HuOzeZ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 22, 2024
Voting and Suspension:
A motion to suspend Banerjee was moved by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and was supported by nine of the 17 committee members, with eight voting against it. The suspension was enacted under rules 261 and 374(1)(2) of the Lok Sabha for his inappropriate conduct and remarks against the committee chairman.
Background of the Argument:
The argument arose during a committee session hearing views from two organizations regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill. Tensions had already been high as opposition MPs accused BJP members of using derogatory language. The committee had previously received over 1.2 crore emails regarding the draft legislation, indicating significant public interest and controversy surrounding the bill.
Reactions:
Pal expressed shock at the level of violence, stating, “There is no place for violence in democracy,” and urged the Trinamool Congress to introspect on Banerjee’s behavior. BJP leader Agnimitra Paul condemned the incident, stating it reflects a culture of impunity among lawmakers under the Mamata Banerjee regime and emphasized the need for responsible conduct from public officials.
Conclusion:
Banerjee’s violent outburst not only highlights the rising tensions within parliamentary discussions but also raises concerns about the standards of behavior expected from elected representatives. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for decorum in democratic institutions and the importance of maintaining respectful dialogue, particularly on contentious issues like the Waqf Amendment Bill.
