'Anti-Muslim, arbitrary’: AAP leader Amanatullah Khan moves SC on Waqf Bill after Congress, Asaduddin Owaisi

Amanatullah Khan

After Congress and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, the Aam Aadmi Party has become the third opposition party to challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court on Saturday. The bill that was passed by the parliament on Friday, has sparked a row, with Opposition calling it “anti-Muslim".

In the plea filed through advocate Adeel Ahmed, Amanatullah alleged that the bill curtails the religious and cultural autonomy of Muslims. He also alleged that the act would enable arbitrary executive interference and undermine minority rights, reported News18.

The plea from the AAP leader comes only a day after Congress and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi moved to SC against the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Notably, Waqf Bill was passed with 128 votes in favour and 95 opposing it. PM Modi has reacted to it saying that the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025 was a “watershed moment" and that this would help the marginalised, who have been “denied both voice and opportunity."

The Waqf Amendment Bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who emphasised that the bill is not against Muslims or intended to hurt their religious feelings, but seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management.

While it took Lok Sabha nearly 12 hours of debate to pass the bill, Rajya Sabha cleared it after an over 13-hour debate.

While the Opposition leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction with the legislation, five JD(U) leaders left Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s party, tendering their resignation over party supporting the bill.

The Waqf Amendment Bill proposes an amendment to the 1995 Act with the goal of improving the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It aims to address the limitations of the earlier legislation, improve the efficiency of Waqf boards, simplify the registration process, and introduce technology to better manage Waqf records.