Today, On 30th January, Munambam Waqf land dispute reached the Supreme Court, which granted a three-week extension for filing a counter affidavit in the SLP challenging the Kerala High Court’s order calling the Waqf Board’s 404-acre land notification a “land-grabbing tactic” move.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has launched the UMEED portal to enhance transparency and management of waqf properties in India. The platform ensures real-time data access and requires property registration within six months. It features a three-tier verification system, an online grievance redressal mechanism, and aims to benefit marginalized communities.
The Centre informed the Supreme Court that Waqf, while an Islamic concept, is not an essential religious practice. In defending the Waqf Amendment Act against legal challenges, Solicitor General Mehta emphasized the need for public property protection and clarified that Waqf serves charitable purposes, involving secular functions and consultation with various Muslim bodies.
Petitioners are contesting the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, arguing it allows government seizure of waqf properties through non-judicial means, compromising their religious status. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal claims the amendment undermines past protections and may lead to loss of waqf status if not registered, raising significant legal concerns.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed by the Indian Parliament, alters the 1995 Waqf Act, prompting widespread debate and legal challenges. Notable changes include expanded government control and inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards, raising concerns about religious autonomy. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing its constitutional validity amidst ongoing hearings.
The central government opposed any stay on the new Waqf laws during a Supreme Court hearing, asserting the laws’ constitutional validity. The government argued that courts cannot halt statutory provisions. Petitioners, challenging the laws’ constitutionality, claim they violate fundamental rights and interfere with the Muslim community’s autonomy in managing Waqf affairs.
Sheikh Noorul Hassan, a National People’s Party MLA, has filed a petition against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, citing concerns over its impact on Islamic practices and Scheduled Tribes’ rights to donate property as Waqf. The Act has faced opposition for allegedly discriminating against Muslims and compromising their religious freedoms.