Supreme Court to Consider Urgent Hearing on Waqf Amendment Act 2025

The Supreme Court will review multiple urgent petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, recently passed by Parliament and approved by President Droupadi Murmu.

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New Delhi, April 7, 2025 — The Supreme Court of India on Monday agreed to consider listing for urgent hearing a series of petitions challenging the recently enacted Waqf Amendment Act 2025. With nearly a dozen petitions already filed, the top court is likely to take up the matter for hearing later this week.

The legislation, which received Presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu on April 5, has sparked widespread concern among various Muslim organizations, political parties, and civil rights groups. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, followed by the Rajya Sabha during early hours on Friday, where 128 members voted in favour and 95 opposed.

Petitions Mount Against Waqf Act Amendment

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, urged Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud for an urgent listing of the plea, calling the amendment a “direct attack” on religious freedom. In response, CJI Sanjiv Khanna, currently handling such matters, stated:

“All the matters (against the Waqf Amendment Act) will be placed before me in the afternoon. Why are you mentioning it when we have a system in place?”

Other lawyers representing groups such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Indian Union Muslim League, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, and even political figures like DMK MP A Raja, Congress MLA Aftab Ahmad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan have also moved the court against the law.

An NGO, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, has similarly filed a petition citing civil liberties and religious rights violations.

Concerns Over Religious Autonomy and Constitutional Rights

Critics argue that the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 infringes on the rights of religious communities, particularly Muslims, to manage their religious endowments. The amended law allows only self-owned resources to be declared as Waqf, subject to verification by the District Collector and ensuring inheritance rights of women and children.

It also grants state governments powers to nominate members to Waqf Boards, including those from backward classes and both Sunni and Shia communities—a move many see as political interference.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind described the law as a “dangerous conspiracy” that violates the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom under Article 26. The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama echoed similar sentiments, warning that the law could “distort the religious character of Waqfs” and erode democratic administration within Waqf Boards.

Political and Legal Battle Ahead

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed alleged that the amended law imposes “arbitrary restrictions” on the management of Waqf properties. Owaisi contended that it removes protections for religious endowments across communities, not just Muslims, creating a discriminatory legal precedent.

With more petitions expected, the Supreme Court’s decision to list the matter urgently may pave the way for one of the year’s most significant constitutional debates.