New Delhi – Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party led by actor Vijay, has filed a rejoinder application in the Supreme Court, responding to the Central government’s affidavit in support of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Filed through Advocate Yash S. Vijay, the application argues that the Centre’s response lacks critical material particulars, potentially impairing the court’s ability to assess the constitutional validity of the law.
TVK’s rejoinder comes as part of a batch of petitions before the apex court that challenge the Waqf Amendment Act, which received Presidential assent on April 5, days after being passed by both Houses of Parliament.
“There is no ‘problem’ of an unprecedented increase in Waqf properties post the 2013 Amendments, as claimed by the government,” TVK’s application states.
Scope of TVK’s Challenge
TVK clarified that it does not oppose the requirement of registration for Waqf properties. However, it objects to the consequences of non-registration, particularly the exclusion of Waqf by user and derecognition of unregistered Waqf lands, which the party argues are violative of Part-III of the Constitution—which enshrines fundamental rights.
The rejoinder notes that these provisions may unjustly penalise community members for administrative lapses, amounting to a denial of minority rights and due process.
Legislative Background
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was cleared by the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, and later passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes supporting and 95 opposing. President Droupadi Murmu signed the bill into law on April 5.
The amendments have since attracted multiple legal challenges, with civil society groups, legal experts, and political parties like TVK alleging that the law is discriminatory towards the Muslim community and infringes upon religious freedoms and property rights.
With this rejoinder, Vijay’s TVK has reaffirmed its legal pushback against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling for a detailed judicial review of its constitutional validity.