Asaduddin Owaisi Challenges Waqf Act Amendments in SC
Click to start listening
Synopsis
AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi has filed a petition in the Supreme Court contesting the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, asserting it undermines protections for waqfs under fundamental rights.
Key Takeaways
- Owaisi contests the legitimacy of Waqf legislation.
- The bill allegedly violates several constitutional articles.
- Similar challenges by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed.
- Parliament passed the bill amidst controversy.
- Waqf is crucial in Islamic charitable practices.
New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) The leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Akbaruddin Owaisi, has approached the Supreme Court to contest the constitutional legitimacy of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
In his legal filing, Owaisi argued that ‘waqfs’, which encompass their creation, governance, and management, are a vital component of Islamic practice and deserve constitutional safeguarding under multiple sections of the Constitution of India.
His petition declared, "The challenged amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995 are evidently in violation of Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 300A of the Constitution of India, and are clearly arbitrary," as stated by attorney Lzafeer Ahmad B.F..
The petition further highlighted that the amendments strip waqfs of numerous protections previously granted to both them and to Hindu, Jain, and Sikh charitable trusts.
Also, Congress MP and party whip in the Lok Sabha, Mohammad Jawed, has submitted a similar petition to the Supreme Court, disputing the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Jawed, representing Bihar's Kishanganj and serving on the Joint Parliamentary Committee related to the Bill, argued that the proposed law contravenes Articles 14 (right to equality), 25 (freedom to practice and propagate religion), 26 (freedom for religious groups to manage their affairs), 29 (minority rights), and 300A (right to property) of the Constitution.
On Wednesday, Owaisi evoked the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by tearing a copy of the legislation in the Lok Sabha, stating, "Just like Gandhi, I am also tearing up this law."
The AIMIM chief referred to the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha as a 'Black Day' and asserted that the proposed law is unconstitutional.
The Parliament approved the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after receiving the green light from the Rajya Sabha early on Friday morning. Following nearly 12 hours of debate, the Lok Sabha passed the Bill with 288 votes in favor and 232 against.
Having been ratified by both chambers of Parliament, the proposed law will now be forwarded for the President's approval before it can amend the 1995 Waqf properties law. The NDA government is promoting the Waqf Amendment Bill as a significant achievement in the first year of Modi 3.0 and is anticipated to implement it shortly after receiving the President’s endorsement.
The notion of ‘Waqf’, embedded in Islamic traditions, pertains to an endowment made by a Muslim for charitable or religious uses, including mosques, educational institutions, hospitals, or other community services.
