Telangana government adviser and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir welcomed the interim relief granted by the Supreme Court in questioning the WAQF Amendment Act (WAQF Amendment Act) and hopes that Apex Court will eventually strike “unconstitutional” the law.
Mr Shabbir Ali, one of the petitioners in the case, said at a press conference here on Thursday that the Supreme Court’s instructions stopped the centre’s attempts to interfere with religious institutions. “The Modi government is trying to impose unconstitutional changes on the WAQF institutions,” he accused.
Mr Shabbir Ali said senior defense attorney Kapil Sibal argued on behalf of the petitioner that the case stressed that the bill violated the constitutional guarantees granted to religious minorities. “WAQF land is not the land of the government. These are donations made by individuals to the interests of poor Muslims and must be maintained.”
“Appointing members of other faiths to the WAQF board may create unnecessary conflict and violate the spirit of religious autonomy,” he said. Mr. Shabbir Ali warned that if the law is implemented, this will benefit not only Muslims but people from other religions not only from Muslims, but also from other religions, but from others. “This fight is not just for legal rights.”
Mr. Shabbir Ali also cites Telangana’s example, a congressional-led government provides Muslims with a 4% reservation, who are performing better in other states. This is because of affirmation of policy. “But now, the BJP government at the center is trying to weaken Muslim institutions by vigorously amending the WAQF Act,” he said.
publishing – April 18, 2025 at 12:09 am IST
