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The Waqf Amendment Act proposed an amendment to the 1995 Act with the goal of improving the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
As per the order, the legislation will be called the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. (Representative image)
Waqf Amendment Act 2025: The Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, which was cleared by both Houses of the Parliament last week after two days of marathon debates, and President Droupadi Murmu’s nod, came into effect on Tuesday.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 (14 of 2025), the Central Government hereby appoints the 8th day of April, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” a notification from the Ministry of Minority Affairs read.
Read More: What Is Waqf, Why Was It Created, What Are The Powers Of Waqf Board? Explained
Waqf Protest Turns Violent In West Bengal
Stones were allegedly hurled at the police and their vehicles were set on fire during a protest over the Waqf Act in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday, officials said.
The incident happened in the Jangipur area where a large number of people gathered in the afternoon to demand the withdrawal of the Act.
“The protestors hurled stones at the police who were deployed in the area, following which some police vehicles were set on fire,” a senior district police officer told news agency PTI.
Waqf Bill Gets President’s Nod
The much debated bill got President Droupadi Murmu’s approval on Saturday. It was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 opposing it, following a 13-hour debate going past midnight. It was cleared in the Lok Sabha in a 288-232 vote after a 12-hour debate.
Opposition parties including Congress had vociferously slammed the Waqf Bill as “unconstitutional” and “anti-democratic”, arguing that the government was interfering with the personal matters of India’s religious minorities. The Congress also opposed the appointment of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board.
Waqf Act Challenged in Supreme Court
Several Muslim organisations, including, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), and the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, and opposition MPs, including Congress’ Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM’ Asaduddin Owaisi have moved to the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf Act. They claimed that the Act is discriminatory towards Muslim community and violating their fundamental rights.
In response to the filed petitions, the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for April 16 to consider the challenges against the Waqf law.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Arshad Madani today said that the Waqf Act is seen as a significant threat to the Constitution, secularism, and the nation’s unity and peace.
“The petition filed against the Waqf Amendment Act will be heard in the Supreme Court on April 16. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, on behalf of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, had appealed for an early hearing of the case. The Waqf Act is a big threat to the Constitution, secularism and the unity and peace of the country. We are confident that we will get justice from the court in this case, because many sections of this law are not only against the Constitution of the country, but it also violates the fundamental and religious rights of the citizens. This law has been brought at a time when a storm of hatred is blowing against Muslims across the country. Many of our mosques and dargahs have already been targeted, and claims are being made that there are temples there. In such a situation, if this unconstitutional law is also implemented, then these unbridled communal forces will also get a basis to target our mosques, khanqahs, graveyards and Imambaras,” he said in a post on X.
वक्फ संशोधन कानून के खिलाफ दायर याचिका पर 16 अप्रैल को सुप्रीम कोर्ट में सुनवाई होगी। जमीयत उलमा-ए-हिंद की ओर से वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता कपिल सिब्बल ने इस मामले की शीघ्र सुनवाई की अपील की थी۔ वक्फ कानून संविधान, धर्मनिरपेक्षता और देश की एकता व शांति के लिए बड़ा खतरा है. हमें पूरा…— Arshad Madani (@ArshadMadani007) April 8, 2025
Read More: What Is Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024? All You Need To Know About The Controversy
In addition to the petitions, the central government has also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. The caveat petition requests that the court not issue any orders or make decisions without first hearing the government’s side of the argument.
Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025
As per the order, the legislation will be called the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The word “Waqf” would be substituted by “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development” (UMEED).
The Waqf Amendment Act proposed an amendment to the 1995 Act with the goal of improving the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It aimed to address the limitations of the earlier legislation, improve the efficiency of Waqf boards, simplify the registration process, and introduce technology to better manage Waqf records.
Under this law, no one should create a waqf unless he is the lawful owner of the property and competent to transfer or dedicate such property. The creation of waqf should not result in denial of inheritance rights of heirs, including women and those with rightful claims.