New Delhi: More petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court demanding that the controversial Waqf Act, approved by President Draupadi Murmu, be declared unconstitutional. On Sunday, Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind approached the Supreme Court against the bill.
The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday morning and the Rajya Sabha on Friday morning, was signed by President Draupadi Murmu and given its assent on Saturday midnight. Before the President signed it, Congress whip Mohammad Javed, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and human rights organization APCR had moved the Supreme Court.
After the President signed the bill, the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama filed its petition in the Supreme Court from Kerala through advocate Zulfiqar Ali. Samastha pointed out in the petition that the law was brought to convert Waqf properties into government property and that the amendment to the Waqf Act would weaken the Waqf Boards.
At the national level, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also moved the top court.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is set to challenge the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court. Party leaders, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and senior party member Fayaz Ahmed are set to file a petition on Monday challenging the provisions of the bill, which they argue could significantly impact the management of Waqf properties.
RJD's Manoj Jha has voiced concerns that the new law threatens the constitutional framework and could disturb communal harmony in India.
The party believes that the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 poses a direct threat to the management rights of Waqf properties, which are religious endowments under Muslim trust.
RJD's stance is that this bill could potentially harm the democratic principles guaranteed under the Constitution and undermine the rights of religious communities, especially Muslims.
The Waqf Amendment Bill now law has ignited fierce debates across political lines, with several opposition parties expressing their disapproval.
The bill was seen as discriminatory by many, particularly within the Muslim community, as it imposes regulations that do not apply to other religious endowments.
On April 4, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed had already moved to the Supreme Court, filing a petition against the bill.