Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress leader Naseem Khan has described the Supreme Court’s interim order on the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 as a “slap on the arrogance” of the BJP-led Central government. The court stayed several controversial provisions of the Act but did not strike down the entire law.
The bench suspended the clause that required individuals to be practising Islam for at least five years before dedicating property as waqf. It also stayed the provision empowering district Collectors to adjudicate the status of waqf properties. Another key ruling addressed the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards. The court directed that the Central Waqf Council should have no more than four non-Muslim members in a 20-member body, and State Waqf Boards should not include more than three non-Muslim members out of 11.
Khan, a Congress Working Committee member and former Maharashtra minister, said the ruling exposed the Centre’s attempt to impose its will on minority institutions. “The Modi government believed its brute majority allowed it to bulldoze Parliament. Today’s order is a reminder that even the strongest majority cannot override the Constitution,” he stated.
He added that the Congress had consistently opposed the changes, arguing that they were discriminatory and aimed at weakening the autonomy of waqf institutions. Khan said the interim relief provided by the Supreme Court was a significant step toward protecting the rights of the Muslim community and safeguarding constitutional values.
