Supreme Court Halts Key Provisions of Waqf Amendment Act Till May 5, Draws Mixed Political Reactions
New Delhi, April 17, 2025 — In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday ordered that no waqf properties, including those categorized as “waqf by user,” shall be denotified until May 5, 2025. The apex court also recorded the Centre’s assurance that no appointments would be made to the Central Waqf Council or the State Waqf Boards under the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 during this period.
The interim relief came during the hearing of multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amended Act. The Bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, expressed concern that the situation on the ground could change drastically if the provisions were not paused. “Normally, it is rare to stay a statute, but we are apprehensive that the situation could change drastically,” the CJI observed.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, initially argued that staying the provisions of the law would be a “harsh step.” However, he eventually assured the court that the government would not proceed with appointments or denotification until the next hearing.
The Bench has scheduled the next hearing on May 5, 2025, and directed the Centre to file its response to the petitions within a week. The court also accepted a proposal from Mehta to change the case title to “In re: Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025” in order to restrict the filing of additional petitions in the matter.
Political Reactions Pour In
The Supreme Court’s interim relief received mixed reactions across the political spectrum.
CPI(M) and IUML Welcome the Order
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) welcomed the court’s order, calling it a relief for secular and minority groups. CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan said the decision was a timely intervention by the judiciary.
IUML National General Secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty described the order as an “interim stay” that reflected the unbiased nature of the judicial process. “It’s a good sign, but we await the final outcome,” he remarked.
Congress Sees It as Vindication
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala echoed similar sentiments and asserted that the ruling was a vindication of the opposition’s stance. “The Act is against the Constitution,” he said, calling the court’s order a step in the right direction. Chennithala urged the Centre to respond appropriately to the questions raised by the apex court.
Owaisi Labels the Act ‘Unconstitutional’
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi reiterated his strong opposition to the law, calling it unconstitutional. “The court has ensured that no waqf property will be denotified and no appointments made, which is a welcome relief. But our legal fight will continue,” he declared. Owaisi also revealed that he had submitted a dissenting note during the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) discussions on the bill and opposed it vigorously during parliamentary debates.
Background of the Controversy
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, introduced by the Union government, has sparked widespread protests and legal challenges for allowing the inclusion of non-Muslim members in waqf bodies and providing the government with powers to denotify waqf properties. Critics argue that the law infringes upon religious freedoms and undermines the autonomy of minority institutions.
The Supreme Court’s decision to maintain status quo on key provisions until further hearings provides temporary relief to concerned stakeholders, while setting the stage for a crucial legal battle that could have far-reaching consequences.
Next Hearing: May 5, 2025
Centre’s Deadline to Respond: Within one week