The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which has stirred sharp debates over religious rights and state regulation of Islamic endowments.A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, and comprising Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, is examining whether key provisions of the amended law warrant a stay. The amended legislation, which alters the original Waqf Act of 1995, seeks to tighten regulation around the management of waqf properties—land or assets donated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law.The petitioners have argued that the amendment is discriminatory towards Muslims and amounts to an unjustified intrusion into Islamic religious affairs and the autonomous administration of waqf assets. The pleas have called for a rollback of the changes, alleging they violate fundamental rights under the Constitution.In contrast, six Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states have approached the top court to support the amendment, underscoring a political dimension to the legal challenge.During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, requested a week’s time to file a preliminary response along with supporting material. “Allow a week to me to place preliminary reply with some materials,” he submitted before the bench.The bench, meanwhile, took note of the Centre’s request and directed that no new appointments be made to the Central Waqf Council or state waqf boards in the interim. “There should not be any appointment in Central Waqf Council and boards in the meantime,” the court said.CJI Khanna also remarked that waqf properties registered under the 1995 Act would remain protected. “If registration of any waqf properties has taken place under 1995 Act, then those properties can’t be disturbed,” he said.Responding to concerns around the contentious concept of “waqf by user” and “waqf by deed”, the Centre assured the court that no such waqf properties would be denotified until the next hearing. “If the Supreme Court says something about ‘waqf by user’, what will be the fallout?” SG Mehta also asked the bench, highlighting the potential wider implications of any judicial finding on this issue.The bench, noting the volume of litigation, said it would not be possible to entertain all petitions immediately. “Impossible to deal with so many pleas, will hear only five,” the CJI said, streamlining the process for the next phase of hearings.The hearing is underway
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