As the Supreme Court on Monday began hearing a series of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, several opposition leaders voiced confidence in the judiciary and expressed hope for relief, calling the law 'unconstitutional' and discriminatory toward the Muslim community.
Congress Member of Parliament and one of the petitioners, Imran Masood, conveyed optimism about the outcome of the hearing. Speaking to mediapersons, he said, “It (the Waqf bill) is unconstitutional. In the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), nothing was done... definitely, we will get justice from the Supreme Court... we have a lot of hopes...”
Echoing similar sentiments, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha emphasised the significance of the Supreme Court's previous observations in the case. "The Supreme Court, during the previous hearing, gave its observation on important aspects and had asked the government questions. I have faith that people will get relief... our party is also an important petitioner in this," he stated.
Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain also criticized the Act, asserting that it was aimed at a particular community. “Many people have filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) bill... the way arguments were going on in the court, I hope that there will be a stay on the unconstitutional provisions of the bill till the complete case is disposed of... it is a law which has been made targeting one community...,” he said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, officially came into effect on April 8 after being passed by both Houses of Parliament. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on April 2 and in the Rajya Sabha on April 3, before receiving Presidential assent on April 5.
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Following the implementation of the Act, numerous petitions were filed in various courts seeking a stay on its provisions. On April 25, the Union Government submitted a preliminary affidavit in the Supreme Court, defending the legislation. In its filing, the Centre sought the dismissal of the petitions and argued that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, does not violate any fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
The government also referred to past precedents involving challenges to the original Waqf Act of 1995 and its subsequent amendments in 2013. It pointed out that in those cases—often referred to as the "original petitions"—the courts had not granted any interim stay.
Notably, many of those earlier challenges are still pending before various High Courts and the Supreme Court, and continue without any interim relief being provided.
As the Supreme Court continues its hearings, the opposition and petitioners remain hopeful for judicial scrutiny and possible relief regarding what they allege is a targeted and unjust piece of legislation.
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