Supreme Court may soon hear petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 after CJI confirms receipt of urgent mention request.
A series of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 were mentioned before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Monday for urgent listing before the Supreme Court.
The matter was brought up by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who urged the Chief Justice to schedule an expedited hearing on the petitions, citing the critical constitutional issues involved
The matter was brought up by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who urged the Chief Justice to schedule an expedited hearing on the petitions, citing the critical constitutional issues involved. In response, CJI Khanna asked if the necessary request had been formally submitted via email. Upon being informed that it had, he assured the counsel: “I will get the letter and do the needful this afternoon.”
The plea comes just days after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed by both Houses of Parliament, sparking political and legal debates across the country. The legislation has been met with sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil rights groups, who claim that it infringes upon the fundamental rights of minority communities.
Among those who have approached the top court is Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, who also serves as the party whip in the Lok Sabha. In his petition, he contends that the amendments violate several key provisions of the Indian Constitution, including:
- Article 14 (Right to Equality),
- Article 25 (Freedom of Religion),
- Article 26 (Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs),
- Article 29 (Protection of Minority Interests), and
- Article 300A (Right to Property).
In a similar move, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi has also filed a petition, arguing that the amendments are “manifestly arbitrary” and directly violate Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 300A of the Constitution.
The concept of Waqf, rooted in Islamic tradition, refers to the permanent endowment of property for religious or charitable purposes—often including mosques, madrasas, schools, or hospitals. Critics argue that the amendments could dilute the autonomy of Waqf institutions and restrict the rights of Muslim communities to manage religious endowments.
On the other hand, the central government has defended the legislation, saying it is aimed at ensuring transparency and public benefit. According to Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the amendments do not infringe on the ownership or religious nature of Waqf properties. “The government is committed to working with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he stated, emphasizing that the new law would benefit “crores of poor Muslims” and that no harm would come to any community.
Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress has reiterated its stand to challenge the law, calling it an attack on the Constitution’s basic structure and accusing the government of attempting to “divide the nation along religious lines.”
As the legal battle unfolds, the petitions are expected to test the judiciary’s interpretation of religious freedoms, property rights, and minority protections under the Indian Constitution.
