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2d ago

Centre Defends Waqf Act in Supreme Court, Opposes Interim Stay

The government argues the law ensures transparency in waqf management without infringing on religious freedoms, citing misuse of previous provisions to claim public and private lands.

The Supreme Court of India is hearing the Waqf Amendment Act case
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Overview

  • The Union government has filed a 1,332-page affidavit in the Supreme Court, seeking dismissal of petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and opposing any interim stay on its provisions.
  • The affidavit highlights a 116% rise in waqf land since 2013, citing misuse of earlier laws to encroach on private and government properties, including public utilities and heritage sites.
  • The Centre defends abolishing 'waqf-by-user' protections, stating that registration has been mandatory for over a century and that existing registered waqf properties remain unaffected.
  • The government justifies limited non-Muslim representation in waqf bodies as a measure to modernize governance and address secular administrative issues without altering religious practices.
  • The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for May 5, with the government assuring it will not denotify waqf properties or make new appointments until then.