Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind moves Supreme Court against ‘unconstitutional’ Waqf Amendment Act

NEW DELHI: After President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the largest body of Islamic scholars in India, has moved the Supreme Court, challenging the “constitutional validity” of the new law.

Calling it a direct attack on the Constitution, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind stated that this bill is a “dangerous conspiracy” to “strip” Muslims of their religious freedom.

Taking to social media post on X, Maulana Arshad Madani, president of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, wrote, “The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has challenged the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in the Supreme Court, as this law is a direct attack on the country’s constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom. This bill is a dangerous conspiracy to strip Muslims of their religious freedom”.

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has challenged the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in the Supreme Court, as this law is a direct attack on the country’s constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious… pic.twitter.com/KxZrFSdJ2H

— Arshad Madani (@ArshadMadani007) April 7, 2025

The Islamic scholars’ body further hoped that they would get justice against this “unconstitutional” law. “Therefore, we have challenged the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in the Supreme Court, and the state units of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind will also challenge the constitutional validity of this law in the High Courts of their respective states. We are confident that just as the court has delivered justice in many cases, we will also get justice in this important and unconstitutional law”, the post added.

Sharing a video, Maulana Arshad Madani, the president of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, accused the BJP-led central government of snatching the rights of the Muslims by bringing this bill.

“Waqf land or waqf properties is our religious right. In India, we have been given rights for our religions. It is unfortunate that in a secular country where everybody has the right to practice their religion, especially Muslims, this right is being snatched by the current government. They are keeping Hindus and Muslims both in committee. Why are they doing so? This is a matter of our religion. We will solve this on our own. The government has already created the Waqf Board, and its chairman would be Muslim… The Minister for Minority Affairs could also be given to any Muslim, but that also didn’t happen. But to interfere in the Waqf Board, you are bringing non-Muslims into it in large numbers who don’t have any information about Waqf… bringing non-Muslims into Waqf would mean that you will diminish its religious importance,” he said.

The Islamic scholar praised the opposition parties, especially Congress for protesting against the Bill. He said, “We have been the first to go to the court against this law… We will continue to fight against this. We are happy that the opposition had protested against it, especially Congress.”

Meanwhile, several opposition leaders and MPs, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan and others.

On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament during the budget session of Parliament. The President also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, which has also been passed by the Parliament. The Law Ministry notifications, issued on Saturday, said that the President has given her assent to the two bills.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed, which seeks to focus on improving the management of waqf properties, empowerment of stakeholders relevant to the management of waqf properties, improving the efficiency in survey, registration and case disposal processes, and development of waqf properties. While the core purpose remains to manage waqf properties, the aim is to implement modern and scientific methods for better governance. The Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 was also repealed.

The bill, first introduced in August last year, was revised following recommendations by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. It amends the original Waqf Act of 1995, aiming to streamline the administration of Waqf properties across India. Key features include improving the registration process and incorporating technology to enhance the efficiency of Waqf board operations.

The bill aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)