The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 has ignited widespread protests across India, with critics arguing that the legislation threatens Muslim identity and undermines religious institutions. In Nagpur, Muslim intellectuals and community leaders convened at an awareness program organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind to discuss the Act’s implications. Speakers, including Maulana Abdul Wahab Parekh and former Waqf Board CEO Abdul Rauf Shaikh, labeled the Act as unconstitutional and anti-minority, alleging it facilitates the transfer of Waqf properties to corporate interests under the guise of reform, reported the Times of India.
The Act has also led to legal ambiguities within Waqf Boards. In Telangana, the restructuring of state Waqf Boards under the amended Section 14 has resulted in the nullification of existing boards formed under the now-repealed section. This has raised questions about the legality of board actions and meetings, with government officials warning of potential legal consequences.
Protests have not been limited to Nagpur. In Trichy, members of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam staged a protest, labeling the Act as unconstitutional and discriminatory against Muslims. Similarly, Hyderabad witnessed massive protests organized by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and supported by various political parties, including the AIMIM. Protesters expressed concerns that the Act enables state interference in Waqf properties and undermines Muslim religious endowments.
The Supreme Court of India is currently deliberating on the constitutionality of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, with a decision pending on whether the Act violates the freedom of religious denominations to manage their affairs.
