Categories
Supreme Court Continues Hearing on Waqf Amendment Act; Questions Raised Over Key Provisions
The Supreme Court of India is set to continue hearing petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 2 p.m., following the conclusion of the first day of proceedings on Wednesday.
During Wednesday’s session, which lasted approximately two hours and involved close to 100 petitions, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, raised serious concerns regarding specific provisions of the legislation.
The bench questioned the constitutional validity of clauses that empower authorities to denotify properties previously declared as waqf by courts, as well as provisions allowing non-Muslims to be included in central Waqf councils and boards. The Court indicated the possibility of staying these provisions.
Chief Justice Khanna also referred to the recent communal unrest in West Bengal allegedly linked to the enactment of the Amendment Act as “very disturbing,” underlining the urgency and sensitivity surrounding the matter.
Parliamentary Background
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on April 3, 2025, receiving support from 288 members while 232 opposed it. It subsequently cleared the Rajya Sabha on April 4, 2025, with 128 votes in favour and 95 against.
Public and Political Reactions
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), expressed hope in the judiciary’s ability to provide justice. Speaking on the ongoing hearings, he said, “The way the Court heard the matter has raised our faith. We are committed to resolving all issues within the constitutional framework and urge everyone to maintain peace and unity.”
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari also responded to the Court’s remarks, stating that the same concerns had been raised by the party during deliberations in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). “If the Constitution is being violated, it is the responsibility of the Supreme Court to act,” Tiwari said in a statement to ANI.
The hearings are expected to continue in the coming days, with the Court closely examining the constitutional implications of the Amendment Act.
Also Read : Esha Verma, Rupali Ganguly’s Stepdaughter, Breaks Silence on Backlash: I Felt Scared and Alone 2025
