Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske on Monday clarified that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 pertains solely to regulating national property and does not interfere with religious rights guaranteed under the Constitution. He accused opposition leaders of misleading the public, and insisted the law was designed to benefit poor Muslims by bringing clarity and accountability to the administration of Waqf properties.
🔍 Key Quote:
“We are not interfering with anyone’s religion or rituals… This concerns national property, not religious freedom,” — Naresh Mhaske
⚖️ Constitutional Context
Mhaske responded to petitions filed in the Supreme Court, where Imams and Muslim organisations alleged that the amendment violates Articles 25 to 30 — the constitutional provisions safeguarding religious and cultural freedoms.
However, Mhaske countered:
“Article 29 pertains to educational institutions, and Article 30 to cultural ones. The Waqf Board is not either. It deals with property. Hence, we have the right to legislate on this.”
🏛️ Parliament vs. Judiciary Debate
Mhaske’s remarks come amid a growing controversy over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s comments, where he accused the Supreme Court of overreach and even suggested that the Parliament building be shut down if the judiciary continues to “make laws.”
While distancing himself from Dubey’s language, Mhaske emphasized:
“Making laws is the work of Parliament. If any law is unconstitutional, the courts have the right to raise objections — but that doesn’t mean they make laws.”
🧾 Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Waqf Amendment Bill, passed in the recent Budget Session and signed by President Droupadi Murmu, aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties, ensure transparency, and prevent misuse of assets. The government maintains that the amendments do not violate religious freedom, but rather ensure equitable access and benefits for disadvantaged sections of the Muslim community.