Mohammad Shafi, National Vice President of the SDPI, hoped that the apex court would deliver justice to the Muslim community.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Two prominent political parties, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), on Monday filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
Terming the Act an infringement of minority rights, the IUML said the amendments introduced provisions which fundamentally alter the governance, creation, and protection of Waqf properties — Islamic endowments dedicated perpetually to Allah for religious and charitable purposes.
“These amendments, passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha despite widespread opposition, impose arbitrary restrictions, enhance state control, and deviate from the religious essence of Waqf, violating Articles 14, 15, 25, and 26 of the Constitution,” the IUML petition said.
Mohammad Shafi, National Vice President of the SDPI, hoped that the Supreme Court would deliver justice to the Muslim community over the unconstitutional Waqf Amendment Act, which violates the fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Constitution.
The party believes that the apex court will uphold the values and spirit of the country’s diverse nature, party sources said.
According to reports, Samastha Kerala Jem Iyyathul Ulema, a body of Sunni scholars, is also contemplating moving the Supreme Court against the Act, calling it a violation of fundamental rights of the minority community protected under Article 26 of the Constitution.
The Waqf (Amendment), Bill, 2025 which aimed to regulate the Waqf properties by proposing amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, became a law on April 5, after President Droupadi Murmu gave it her nod.
The Waqf Bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2024. The legislation was later sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
The Act empowers the Central government to make rules regarding the registration and publication of accounts of Waqf, along with the publication of proceedings of Waqf Boards. Under the Act, state governments could get the accounts of Waqfs audited at any point. The Act empowers the Central government to get these audited by the CAG or a designated officer.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (Arshad Madani group), Asaduddin Awaisi, chief of All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and Congress party whip in the Lok Sabha Mohammad Jawed have already moved the apex court against the Waqf Act.
Owaisi termed the Act unconstitutional, Jawed called it discriminatory towards the Muslim community and violating their fundamental rights.
Jawed contended that the Act violates Article 14 (right to equality), 25 (freedom to practice religion), 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs), 29 (minority rights) and 300A (right to property) of the Constitution.
Jawed was a member of the JPC.
During the Lok Sabha debate, Owaisi called the Bill a grave violation of Articles 14 and 26 of the Constitution.
