Waqf Amendment Act comes into force; SC likely to hear pleas on April 15

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, which was passed by parliament last week, came into force on Tuesday, said a government notification.

 

 "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 (14 of 2025), the Central Government hereby appoints the 8th day of April, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” said the notification issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is likely to hear on April 15 a batch of petitions, including those by politicians and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, challenging the constitutional validity of the Act. More than 10 such pleas have been filed so far in the apex court.

 

The Centre on Tuesday filed a caveat in the top court and sought a hearing before any order was passed in the matter.

 

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passed the contentious bill on April 3 and 4, respectively. President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the bill on April 5.

 

Both houses witnessed heated debate over the bill with the opposition parties terming it as an infringement to the religious freedom of Muslim community. They said the new provisions impose “arbitrary restrictions” on Waqf properties and their management.

 

In Lok Sabha, 288 members supported the bill while 233 MPs opposed it. In the upper house, 128 members voted in favour of the bill while 95 members opposed it.

 

Those who moved the apex court included Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, RJD MPs Manoj Jha and Faiyaz Ahmad and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan.

 

 

 

India