Supreme Court to Urgently Review Challenges to Controversial Waqf Law

The Supreme Court has signaled its willingness to expedite hearings for a series of petitions contesting the constitutional legitimacy of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. On Monday, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna responded to an appeal from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, who pressed for swift listing of the cases. Sibal highlighted that multiple petitions have already been submitted to the court.

“I will review the mentioning letter this afternoon and decide. We will schedule it,” Chief Justice Khanna assured. The decision follows President Droupadi Murmu’s approval of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on Saturday, a measure that sparked intense debates in Parliament before its passage.

Among the legal challenges filed with the apex court is one from Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, in its petition, argued that the legislation undermines India’s Constitution, which guarantees equal rights and unrestricted religious freedom to all citizens. The group labeled the Act a “direct assault” on these principles, accusing it of threatening the religious liberties of Muslims. “This bill represents a perilous plot to erode Muslim religious rights,” the Jamiat declared, noting that it has approached the Supreme Court to contest the law’s validity. Additionally, the organization’s state branches plan to file similar challenges in their respective high courts.