Hyderabad MP and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi has approached the Supreme Court against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, which was recently passed in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and is now awaiting President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to become law.
Nationwide Protests Planned by AIMPLB
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has vowed to launch nationwide protests and take legal action against the bill.
“The government’s stance regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is regrettable. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board will soon undertake nationwide protests and legal action against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025,” the AIMPLB said in a post on X.
Congress Challenges Constitutionality of Bill
Congress Lok Sabha MP Mohammed Jawed has also moved the Supreme Court against the bill.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh announced that the party would soon challenge the constitutionality of the bill in court.
“The INC will very soon be challenging the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Supreme Court,” Ramesh posted on X.
He also noted that Congress was already challenging several laws in court, including:
- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019
- Amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
- Amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules (2024)
- Intervention to uphold the Places of Worship Act, 1991
Parliament Passed the Bill After Heated Debate
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed after an intense debate in both Houses of Parliament:
- Lok Sabha Vote: 288 in favor, 232 against
- Rajya Sabha Vote: 128 in favor, 95 against
Rajya Sabha sat beyond midnight to pass the bill, with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announcing the results:
“Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed.”
The bill, originally introduced in August 2024, was revised based on recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee. It seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
Key Objectives of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025
- Address shortcomings in the Waqf Act, 1995
- Improve Waqf Board efficiency
- Enhance registration process of waqf properties
- Increase technology integration in waqf record management
With multiple legal challenges and nationwide protests being planned, the fate of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 now depends on the Supreme Court’s intervention and the President’s final assent.