Waqf Act hearing: SC asks Centre whether it is willing to allow Muslims to be part of Hindu religious trust

The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The matter is being heard by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Viswanathan. Several petitioners, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, were present in the CJI's courtroom for the hearing. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, opened his arguments by stating that the amendment seeks to intervene, through parliamentary legislation, in an essential and integral part of a faith. He further questioned a provision that requires a person to have practised Islam for five years to set up Waqf, asking how the state could determine someone's religious identity and whether personal law would apply in such cases.

India