New Delhi [India]: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday confirmed that his party will not approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, signalling the party has closed the matter from its end.
“We have done our work. We said what we had to say. This file is closed for us now,” Raut told reporters.
This statement comes a day after Raut strongly criticised the bill, alleging that it serves commercial and land acquisition interests more than protecting the rights of the Muslim community.
💬 Raut’s Concerns Over the Bill
On Friday, Raut addressed the media, raising concerns that the bill was less about minority welfare and more about targeting valuable Waqf properties, estimated to be worth over ₹2 lakh crore.
“This is more about trade and business than about justice for Muslims,” he had said.
⚖ Legal Challenges by Other Leaders
While Shiv Sena (UBT) has opted out of legal action, several political leaders have already moved the Supreme Court against the bill, including:
- Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM MP
- Mohammad Jawed, Congress MP
- Amanatullah Khan, AAP MLA
These leaders have expressed concern that the bill may infringe upon the rights of Muslim communities and weaken the structure of Waqf boards.
🏛 Parliament Approval and Next Steps
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and now awaits Presidential assent to become law.
- Rajya Sabha Vote: Ayes – 128, Noes – 95
- Lok Sabha Vote: Ayes – 288, Noes – 232
The government introduced a revised version of the bill after incorporating recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which had reviewed the initial draft introduced in August 2024.
📜 Key Objectives of the Bill
The amendment seeks to improve:
- Administration and transparency in Waqf properties
- Registration and record-keeping through digital technology
- Oversight and efficiency of state and central Waqf Boards
It aims to address long-standing administrative shortcomings in the original Waqf Act, 1995.