He strongly criticised the new law, saying that the National Conference believes it represents a serious and unconstitutional interference in the religious affairs of Muslims in India.
The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, led by former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
This move comes just after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Bill on Saturday, making it a law.
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Earlier, the National Conference had clearly stated that it would challenge the amendment through a writ petition.
“On the direction of President Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference will file a writ petition in the Supreme Court. This legal battle will now be fought there,” said the party’s chief spokesperson and legislator Tanvir Sadiq, while speaking to reporters outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
He strongly criticised the new law, saying that the National Conference believes it represents a serious and unconstitutional interference in the religious affairs of Muslims in India.
“It (the Act) violates fundamental constitutional protections under Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, and 300A, and it is a direct attack on the religious freedom, equality, and property rights of Muslims across the country,” Tanvir Sadiq added.
Before the Bill was passed and became an Act, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Mohammad Jawed had also moved the Supreme Court, raising concerns about the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025.
In his petition, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed said the new amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, were unconstitutional and “disproportionately increase state intervention.” He claimed that the changes affected the autonomy and independent functioning of Waqf boards and institutions.
The Congress MP’s plea also stated that the Bill puts “arbitrary restrictions” on how Waqf properties are managed. He said this move undermines the religious autonomy of the Muslim community, which is protected under the Constitution.
His petition specifically mentioned that the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, violates several key Constitutional rights, including:
- Article 14 (Right to Equality),
- Article 25 (Freedom of Religion),
- Article 26 (Right to Manage Religious Affairs),
- Article 29 (Protection of Minority Rights), and
- Article 300A (Right to Property).
The matter will be heard by a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, on April 16.
Multiple petitions have already been filed in the apex court, all challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Central Government has filed a caveat application in the Supreme Court, requesting the court not to pass any order without hearing its side. A caveat application ensures that the government will be notified and heard before any decision is taken.
Several prominent individuals, political leaders, religious bodies, and organisations have already filed similar petitions against the Act. They argue that the law discriminates against the Muslim community and violates their fundamental rights.
On April 5, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill after both Houses of Parliament passed it amid intense debate.
Opposition to the law has come from a wide range of political and social groups, including:
- Asaduddin Owaisi, Member of Parliament from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)
- Mohammad Jawed and Imran Pratapgarhi, Congress MPs
- Amanatullah Khan, AAP MLA
- Chandra Shekhar Azad, MP and President of Azad Samaj Party
- Zia Ur Rehman Barq, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal
- Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (Islamic clerics’ body)
- Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema, a body of Sunni scholars in Kerala
- Social Democratic Party of India
- Indian Union Muslim League
- Association for Protection of Civil Rights (NGO)
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court, stating that it “strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being ‘arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion‘”.
In addition, Rajya Sabha MPs Manoj Jha and Faiyaz Ahmad from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), along with RJD MLA Muhammad Izhar Asfi from Bihar, have also challenged the law. They say the law would allow the government to interfere extensively in Muslim religious properties.
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