Nationwide Protests Lead Supreme Court to Halt Amendments to Waqf Act
New Delhi, April 17: The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the enforcement of the contentious amendments to the Waqf Act, 2025, following widespread protests and more than 70 legal petitions questioning the constitutionality of the new law.
The court’s ruling suspends all new appointments to Waqf boards and puts a hold on any alterations to the status of Waqf properties—including the controversial ‘waqf by user’ provision—until May 5. This move follows intense protests, especially in West Bengal, where clashes with authorities have reportedly led to three deaths.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, and AIMIM, have strongly criticised the amendments, alleging that the inclusion of non-Muslims on Waqf boards and the scrapping of ‘waqf by user’ provisions infringe upon the religious and administrative rights of the Muslim community.
The apex court emphasised that the interim relief is aimed at restoring peace and allowing a thorough judicial review of the concerns raised, particularly regarding potential religious discrimination and government overreach.
A final verdict will depend on further hearings, scheduled to resume early next month.
