Vijay Waqf Petition: Actor, CPI Challenge Amendment Act in Supreme Court

Vijay Waqf Petition: In a significant legal move ahead of the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for April 16, the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay have filed separate petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025.

The petitions come amid growing national debate over the amended law, which was passed despite opposition from multiple political parties and civil society groups. The CPI, through its general secretary D Raja, has argued that the law was pushed through Parliament without adequately addressing the concerns raised by the Joint Parliamentary Committee and other stakeholders. The party contends that the amendment strikes at the heart of the autonomy of Waqf institutions and vests sweeping powers in the Central government.

Joining the legal challenge is Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and celebrated Tamil actor Vijay, who in his petition, has raised alarm over what he calls a fundamental alteration to the original Waqf Act, 1995. The TVK leader emphasized that the changes infringe upon constitutional protections guaranteed under Articles 25, 26, and 29—provisions that safeguard religious freedom and cultural rights of minorities.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, received President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on April 5 and was notified by the Centre on April 8. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 3 with 288 votes in favour and 232 against. The Rajya Sabha cleared it in the early hours of April 4, with 128 MPs voting for it and 95 against.

As per the amended provisions, only self-owned properties may now be declared as Waqf, and only after verification of ownership and inheritance rights—especially those of women and children. Additionally, the law empowers state governments to nominate members from backward classes and both Sunni and Shia sects to the Waqf Boards.

Critics, however, argue that the changes go beyond administrative reform and amount to a dilution of the community’s rights. CPI’s petition maintains that the law centralizes power and strips the Waqf Boards of their independent functioning.

The Supreme Court bench—headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan—will hear a total of 10 petitions on the matter. Among the petitioners are AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Arshad Madani, RJD MP Manoj Jha, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, and several Muslim organizations and individuals.

The DMK, too, has stepped into the fray, filing a petition through its senior leader A Raja, who was also a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee that reviewed the bill. The DMK’s plea echoes the sentiment that the amendment imposes “arbitrary restrictions” on the management of Waqf properties and curtails the religious autonomy of the Muslim community.

In anticipation of a legal challenge, the Central government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, seeking to ensure it is heard before any stay is granted on the Act.

With political and religious voices uniting across party lines, the April 16 hearing is expected to set the tone for a landmark constitutional debate on minority rights, federalism, and the balance of power in religious institutions.