New Delhi [India]: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday reiterated that the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 is strictly an internal matter of India, underscoring the government’s commitment to making the legislation more inclusive and progressive.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated:
“All the elements of the Waqf Bill are an internal matter of India. The proposed amendments aim to make the law more inclusive and progressive so that greater benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.”
The statement comes amid ongoing Supreme Court hearings on multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act. The petitioners argue that the law is discriminatory and infringes upon fundamental rights.
During Thursday’s hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, requested a seven-day extension to file a preliminary response, including supporting documentation. The court acknowledged the request and recorded an assurance that:
- No new appointments would be made to the Waqf Board or Waqf Council during the pendency of the matter.
- No new Waqf property identifications would be undertaken until further notice.
The Solicitor General defended the legislation as a “considered piece of law”, pointing out that the Centre has received numerous representations concerning the classification of land under Waqf. He cautioned that placing a stay on the entire Act would be an “extreme step.”
The Supreme Court, while taking a balanced stance, stated that a complete stay was not warranted at this stage. It also reiterated that some aspects of the legislation had previously been recognised as positive reforms and stressed that the status quo should be maintained while deliberations are ongoing.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in Parliament following extensive debate and received Presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu on April 5, officially becoming law.