New Delhi: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, calling it “unconstitutional” in response to the ongoing Supreme Court hearings.
Taking to the media, Owaisi stated, “I was a member of the Joint Working Committee of Parliament and submitted a dissenting report opposing all amendments proposed by the government. I opposed the entire Waqf Bill during parliamentary debates, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of Articles 14, 15, 25, 26, and 29.”
“The Supreme Court rightly noted, as my counsel Mr Izam Pasha pointed out, that the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards will not be constituted, and that the ‘Waqf by user’ cannot be deleted. Several provisions in the Act are being legally challenged as unconstitutional. We continue to oppose this entire law, which infringes on fundamental rights, and our legal battle in the Supreme Court will persist,” he added.
Congress on Waqf Act hearing
Congress leader and member of Rajya Sabha Imran Pratapgarhi talking about the Supreme Court hearing, said, “The amendments introduced by the government in this law violate several provisions of the Constitution. I am confident that the remarks made yesterday by the Hon’ble Justice indicate that we will surely get justice.”
“There are two to three key amendments — such as the issue of Waqf by user, the role of the Collector, and interference related to the Council — where the government seems to be trying to take control of Waqf properties. I believe the Hon’ble Supreme Court will definitely grant us relief,” Pratapgarhi said.
“Today’s petition was led by Mr. Kapil Sibbal and I believe the Court largely agreed with those points. After today’s proceedings, we will be able to discuss this in more detail,” he added.
AAP on Waqf Act hearing
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan said, “We are extremely grateful to the Supreme Court judges. Today, we received justice, just as we had hoped. The judge clearly stated there should be no interference with Waqf by users. No new Waqf Boards can be formed, and no non-Muslim members can be added to existing boards.”
He further added, “The BJP is playing politics by spreading communal hatred. This amendment bill was brought with the intention to target Waqf properties—mosques, graveyards, and religious sites.”
Expressing confidence in future outcomes, he said, “Insha’Allah, a final decision will fully protect all Waqf lands, mosques, shrines, and graveyards. This is a historic moment, and the nation has received the justice it was waiting for.”
Vishnu Shankar Jain questions SC hearing
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain questioned the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction regarding the Waqf Act hearing. He said, “Supreme Court cannot directly hear this case under Article 32. When similar cases came to the Supreme Court earlier including challenging the Waqf Act 1995, it was not heard. This will set a very wrong precedent.
“When a temple cannot be by user, a church cannot be by user, and a Gurudwara cannot be by user, then how can a Waqf be by user?,” he asked.
“The third most important point is that the Waqf Act 1995 with the 2025 amendment needs clarification that it is not applicable to non-Muslims. I support the removal of non-Muslim members from the Waqf Board and Waqf Council. But, along with this, it should also come that any action taken in the Waqf Act 1995 or any amendment is not applicable to non-Muslims,” Vishnu Jain said.
