AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reacted sharply to the Supreme Court’s order on the Waqf Amendment Act, saying, “Devil will be in the details,” and termed the decision as not good for safeguarding Waqf properties.
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi expressed concerns about Monday’s Supreme Court ruling on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, stating it does not adequately protect Waqf properties, even though certain provisions were stayed.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV he also discussed the potential for an alliance with the opposition INDIA bloc for the upcoming Bihar elections and shared his views on the India-Pakistan match during the Asia Cup.
The Supreme Court’s order indicated that the collector cannot be the final authority on disputes over Waqf property, temporarily suspended the requirement that only individuals practicing Islam for five years can dedicate property as Waqf, and limited the representation of non-Muslims on state Waqf boards and the central council.
Regarding the ruling, Owaisi remarked,
“The government is not at all interested in protecting the Waqf system. They have called it an idea that is alien to our country. And with the Supreme Court not staying the major amendments, I am of the opinion that this will lead to encroachers of Waqf property being rewarded.”
He noted that the Supreme Court did not issue a full stay on the five-year requirement for practicing Islam, emphasizing that the government needs to establish clear rules.
He stated,
“The devil will be in the details. Is there such a rule for any person who embraces religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, that some rules will be made before he can endow his own property to the religion he has embraced? That is not the case. So, the government would, I am sure, make rules in such a way that it will be difficult,”
Owaisi argued that while the number of non-Muslims in Waqf boards has been limited, this provision violates Article 26 of the Constitution, which ensures the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs, institutions, and properties.
He questioned the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards, noting that similar provisions do not apply to the Hindu Endowments Board, the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees, or the Bodh Gaya trust.
The AIMIM chief concluded,
“I feel that the honourable Supreme Court must start the final hearing on the pleas against this Act and we will put forward all these views again. But yesterday has not been a good day for the protection of Waqf properties,”
Earlier, On 15th September, The Supreme Court issued a stay on certain provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, pending the resolution of petitions contesting the amendment’s validity.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih delivered the interim order.
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