Challenge the effectiveness of WAQF law mentioned by the Supreme Court to solicit emergency hearings

General view of the Supreme Court of India. |Photo source: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

The Supreme Court agreed on Monday (April 7, 2025) to consider a listing petition, challenging the effectiveness of the WAQF (Amendment) Act, the constitutional validity of 2025, for emergency hearings.

The bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna recorded the opinions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, submitted to Jamiat ulama-i-Hind, which was to appear that the petition needs to be listed for emergency hearings.

CJI Khanna told them that in his room in the afternoon, a request for an emergency hearing will be made to allocate the bench. “Why is there a system mentioned when it comes to it?” Cji Khanna asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who mentioned it verbally.

President Droupadi Murmu agreed on Saturday in the WAQF (Amendment) bill of 2025, which was passed by parliament early after fierce debates between the two houses.

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Several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court, including one by Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, which raised questions about the validity of the bill. Jamiat ulama-i-Hind said in the petition that the law is a “direct attack on the country’s constitution, which not only provides equal rights to citizens, but also gives them the right to complete religious freedom”.

“This bill is a dangerous conspiracy to deprive their religious freedom. Therefore, we challenge the WAQF (Amendment) Act in the Supreme Court, where Jamiat Urama-i-Hind’s state units will also challenge the constitutional validity of their respective state high courts.”

(Input with PTI)