Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025: Constitutional Assurances vs State Oversight
By Advocate Sudhakar Kumar | GulKishan Advocates Chamber
The **Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025** has been enacted to bring greater oversight, transparency and accountability to the management of Waqf properties across India. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} However, it has triggered strong reactions from minority bodies, legal scholars, and political entities, resulting in multiple petitions in the Supreme Court challenging its constitutional validity. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
1. Key Changes Introduced by the Amendment
- Revised appointment rules for the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards.
- “Waqf by user” concept subjected to stricter regulation, audit, and review. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Enhanced reporting, digitization and registration obligations on Waqf institutions.
- Provisions restricting de-notification or alteration of Waqf properties until adjudication. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
2. Constitutional Challenges & Legal Issues
- Violation of **Article 30** (right of minorities to establish & administer institutions) claims.
- Arbitrariness vs “reasonable classification” debates under **Article 14**.
- Due process concerns: whether the amendments allow ex post facto interference or retrospective action.
- Protection of religious endowments vs state’s regulatory power under the doctrine of public trust.
3. Supreme Court & Judicial Landscape
The petitions challenging the amendment have been clubbed under **In re: Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025** in the Supreme Court. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} The Court has directed that no de-notification or alteration of Waqf properties shall take place until further orders. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} This status quo protects rights pending adjudication. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
4. Potential Outcomes & Implications
- Supreme Court may strike down or read down certain provisions if found repugnant to fundamental rights.
- India may see stricter safeguards on state interference in religious endowments going forward.
- Regulatory clarity may help reduce litigation around Waqf properties, if balanced properly.
5. What Legal Practitioners & Stakeholders Should Watch
— Bench composition and majority judgments in the SC case.
— Whether interim orders preserve existing Waqf governance.
— Arguments on proportionality, classification, and minority institutional autonomy.
— The effect of future guidelines/regulations under the Act’s framework.
Disclaimer: यह लेख केवल सामान्य जानकारी के उद्देश्य से है। विशिष्ट कानूनी सलाह के लिए कृपया संपर्क करें।
Related Posts: Waqf Amendment Act 2025: Constitutional Assurances vs State Oversight | वक्फ (संशोधन) अधिनियम 2025: संवैधानिक चिंताएँ और सरकारी नियंत्रण
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