Centre Files Supreme Court Caveat as Opposition Mounts Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

NEW DELHI, April 9, 2025 — The Centre on Tuesday filed a caveat in the Supreme Court seeking to be heard before any stay is granted on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, following a flurry of petitions challenging its constitutional validity. The move comes amid mounting opposition from political parties and Muslim organisations, who claim the law infringes on religious freedom.

By filing the caveat, the government aims to prevent the possibility of an ex-parte interim stay. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter on April 15, as per the computer-generated listing.

On Monday, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had agreed to consider urgent hearings on the matter. The Act, which received presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu on April 5, officially came into effect on April 8.

Passed by the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, and later by the Rajya Sabha with 128 members supporting it and 95 opposing, the amended law introduces several sweeping changes. It limits Waqf declarations to self-owned properties, mandates verification of ownership through district authorities, and introduces provisions for nominating members from backward classes and both Sunni and Shia communities to the Waqf boards.

Opposition to the law has grown steadily. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind labelled the amendment a “dangerous conspiracy” and a “direct attack” on constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. It asked the court to stop the Act from being enforced.

Other petitioners include the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Indian Union Muslim League, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, and the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights. Political leaders such as DMK’s A Raja, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, AAP’s Amanatullah Khan, and Haryana Congress MLA Aftab Ahmad have also approached the court.

Jawed alleged the law imposes arbitrary restrictions on Waqf property management, undermining Muslim community autonomy. Owaisi argued it discriminates against Muslims by removing legal protections given to other religious endowments.

As the legal battle unfolds, more parties are expected to join the challenge, making the Waqf (Amendment) Act a fresh flashpoint in the country’s communal and constitutional debate.