Pleas challenging validity of Waqf Act mentioned before CJI for urgent listing

IANS April 7, 2025 257 views

The Supreme Court is set to hear urgent petitions challenging the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2025. Political parties like Congress and AIMIM have filed constitutional challenges, arguing the amendments violate fundamental rights and could potentially polarize religious communities. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal has urged CJI Sanjiv Khanna for an immediate hearing on the matter. The government maintains that the legislation will benefit poor Muslims and does not interfere with existing Waqf properties.

"I will get the letter and do the needful this afternoon." - CJI Sanjiv Khanna
Pleas challenging validity of Waqf Act mentioned before CJI for urgent listing
New Delhi, April 7: The pleas in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments introduced to the Waqf Act were mentioned on Monday before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna for urgent listing.

Key Points

1

Congress claims amendments violate fundamental constitutional rights

2

Multiple petitions challenge Waqf Act's recent legislative changes

3

AIMIM chief Akbaruddin Owaisi moves Supreme Court against amendments

4

Minority Affairs Minister defends legislation as beneficial for Muslims

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal urged CJI Khanna to give an urgent hearing on the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

In response, the CJI, who is the master of the roster, asked the senior counsel if he had moved an email containing the mentioning letter. When informed that the same had already been done, CJI Khanna said, “I will get the letter and do the needful this afternoon.”

Several petitions have been filed before the apex court challenging the amendments immediately after the Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on Friday.

After the legislation was passed in both Houses of Parliament, the Indian National Congress announced it would challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill before the Supreme Court. Congress claimed that it was an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution and was aimed at “polarising” and "dividing" the country on the basis of religion.

In his petition, Congress MP and party whip in Lok Sabha Mohammad Jawed contended that the amendments violated Articles 14 (right to equality), 25 (freedom to practice and propagate religion), 26 (freedom of religious denominations to manage their religious affairs), 29 (minority rights), and 300A (right to property) of the Constitution.

Similarly, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Akbaruddin Owaisi has moved the top court, saying that the impugned amendments are “ex facie violative of Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 300A of the Constitution of India and manifestly arbitrary”.

The concept of ‘Waqf’, rooted in Islamic laws and traditions, refers to an endowment made by a Muslim for charitable or religious purposes, such as mosques, schools, hospitals, or other public institutions. The government said that crores of poor Muslims will benefit from this legislation, and in no way does it harm any single Muslim.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said the legislation did not interfere with the Waqf properties, adding that the Modi government works with the vision of 'Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas'.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Interesting to see how this plays out in court. The Waqf Act amendments seem to be causing quite a stir. Hope the SC gives it a fair hearing soon. 🤔
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Priya M.
While I understand concerns about constitutional validity, I think we should wait for proper judicial review before jumping to conclusions. The government's claim about helping poor Muslims could have merit.
A
Amit S.
The speed at which these petitions are moving shows how important this issue is. CJI's prompt response gives me hope for timely justice.
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Sanjana R.
Respectful criticism: I wish the article had explained the specific amendments better. It's hard to form an opinion without knowing exactly what changed in the Act.
I
Imran F.
As a Muslim, I'm following this closely. Waqf properties have always been controversial, but they do serve important community purposes. Hope the SC considers all perspectives.
N
Neha T.
The political angle here is concerning. Whether it's the government or opposition, religious matters shouldn't be used as political footballs. 🙄

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Waqf Act Supreme Court Constitutional Challenge Kapil Sibal Mohammad Jawed Akbaruddin Owaisi CJI Sanjiv Khanna Religious Legislation
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