Supreme Court to Hear Pleas Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 on April 15; Centre Files Caveat
The Supreme Court is expected to take up a batch of petitions on April 15 challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Meanwhile, the Central Government has filed a caveat in the apex court, requesting that no orders be issued without first hearing its side. A caveat ensures that a party is heard before the court passes any interim order.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Minority Affairs issued a notification announcing that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, passed by Parliament last week, officially came into effect on April 8.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 (14 of 2025), the Central Government hereby appoints the 8th day of April, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification read.
More than 10 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the law, including by political leaders, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.
While the court’s official website has not yet listed the cases, legal sources indicated that the petitions are likely to be heard by a bench on April 15. On April 7, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, that the court would consider listing the matter soon.
President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill on April 5 after intense debates in both houses of Parliament. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, and in the Rajya Sabha with 128 voting in support and 95 opposing it.
Political and Legal Opposition Mounts
A wide range of political leaders and organizations have challenged the Act in court. These include the DMK (represented by Deputy General Secretary A Raja), AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Jawed, RJD MPs Manoj Jha and Faiyaz Ahmad, and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan.
In a press release, the DMK stated that the law was passed despite widespread opposition and without adequately addressing concerns raised by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and other stakeholders. The party claimed the law directly impacts the rights of over 50 lakh Muslims in Tamil Nadu and nearly 20 crore across India.
AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas, in a press statement, described the amendments as “arbitrary, exclusionary, and discriminatory.” The Board asserted that the changes violate fundamental rights under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which protect religious freedom and the right to manage religious institutions.
Their petition, filed by advocate M R Shamshad and represented by Talha Abdul Rahman, argues that the government’s move to centralize control over Waqf properties undermines the autonomy of the Muslim community.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind echoed similar sentiments in its petition, calling the law a “direct assault” on constitutional values and religious freedom. It described the amendments as part of a “dangerous conspiracy” to deprive Muslims of their rights.
Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, a Sunni Muslim clerical organization, also approached the top court, contending that the law constitutes a “blatant intrusion” into the internal religious affairs of a denomination.
MP Mohammad Jawed’s plea claimed the Act imposed “arbitrary restrictions” on the management of Waqf properties, violating the religious autonomy of Muslims. The plea was filed through advocate Anas Tanwir.
In a separate filing, Asaduddin Owaisi argued that the Act removes several protections traditionally granted to Waqf properties, while similar safeguards remain intact for endowments of other faiths. His petition, filed through advocate Lzafeer Ahmad, calls the law “hostilely discriminatory” and in violation of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
An NGO, the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, has also petitioned the court against the Act.
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s petition contends the law breaches multiple constitutional provisions — Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 300-A — and seeks its declaration as unconstitutional.
Congress Pitches Organisational Reforms at Ahmedabad Meet
Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad, the Congress Party continued its high-level deliberations as part of its ongoing “Nyaypath: Sankalp, Samarpan aur Sangharsh” campaign. The party’s top brass, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, participated in a prayer ceremony at the Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and later visited Sardar Patel’s memorial.
AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal announced that a “massive organisational reshuffle” is on the horizon. Discussions focused on empowering District Congress Committees (DCCs) by giving their presidents more authority and accountability.
Venugopal emphasized that the restructuring plan has already been approved by general secretaries and in-charges and will be rolled out soon.
AICC General Secretary Sachin Pilot echoed this, noting that the Congress aims to strengthen district-level leadership to make the party more effective at the grassroots. “Tomorrow’s session will write a new chapter in history,” he stated.
The AICC session, themed “Nyaypath: Sankalp, Samarpan aur Sangharsh” (Path of Justice: Resolve, Dedication, and Struggle), will convene over 1,700 elected and co-opted members along the banks of the Sabarmati River between Sabarmati and Kochrab Ashrams on Ap.
