The Supreme Court will hear a total of 73 petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act today. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, will begin the hearing at 2:00 PM.
The Waqf law, which governs properties donated for religious or charitable purposes, has been a point of controversy. The government introduced amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995, citing the need to better manage Waqf properties, resolve land ownership disputes, and prevent illegal encroachment.
According to the government, the previous law was not robust enough, leading to issues such as misuse of power by caretakers (Mutawallis), lack of coordination with local land departments, and excessive authority given to Waqf Boards, which resulted in numerous legal cases.
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed with 232 votes in the Lok Sabha and 128 in the Rajya Sabha. The Centre has repeatedly said that the amendments are not against the Muslim community but aim to correct past mistakes. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “The aim of the law is to ensure no one in India can take someone else’s land by force or without agreement.”
The amendment has sparked significant debate, with several groups and individuals challenging its constitutionality. Six states, including Maharashtra, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Assam, have filed petitions supporting the law, arguing that it addresses legal, administrative, and social concerns.
On the other hand, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board has expressed its support for the amendments and has asked to join the case filed by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who opposes the changes. The Board seeks to present its side in the case.
The DMK, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, has also filed a petition, claiming that the changes to the Waqf law violate the rights of Muslims in Tamil Nadu and across India. The Tamil Nadu Assembly had earlier passed a resolution urging the central government to cancel the bill.
With multiple parties challenging and defending the amendments, today’s hearing in the Supreme Court will be crucial in determining the future of the Waqf Amendment Act.
