Waqf Amendment Bill sparks legal fight; RJD to file Supreme Court petition on April 7

RJD to challenge Waqf Amendment Bill in Supreme Court, Manoj Jha and Fayaz Ahmed to file petition tomorrow

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is set to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill. Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and party leader Fayaz Ahmed will file a petition on Monday, opposing the bill's provisions, which they argue could negatively affect the management of Waqf properties.

The Waqf Bill has sparked significant controversy, facing strong resistance from a variety of political parties.

Congress, opposition parties take legal action against the bill

Earlier, the Congress party had also taken legal action against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, by filing a petition in the Supreme Court. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed approached the court on April 4, claiming that the bill discriminated against the Muslim community and violated their fundamental rights.

The petition argued that the bill unfairly targets Muslims by imposing restrictions not applied to other religious endowments. Jawed was also part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee that examined the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The petition, submitted by advocate Anas Tanwir, claims that the Waqf Amendment Bill violates several provisions of the Constitution, including Article 14 (right to equality), Article 25 (freedom of religion), Article 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs), Article 29 (minority rights), and Article 300A (right to property).

On April 4, AIMIM Chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also moved the Supreme Court to challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025.

Additionally, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan filed a petition with the Supreme Court on Saturday, arguing that the bill undermines the religious and cultural autonomy of Muslims, permits arbitrary executive interference, and violates minority rights to control their religious and charitable institutions.

President grants assent to Waqf (Amendment) Bill

President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 granted her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, following its approval by both Houses of Parliament earlier that week. A government notification confirmed, "The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the president on April 5, 2025, and is hereby published for general information: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025."

The bill was approved by Parliament in the early hours of Friday, April 4, following a lengthy and heated debate. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed." Additionally, the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, was also passed by Parliament, with the session extending late into the night to finalize the legislation.

The Rajya Sabha approved the Bill on Friday, with 128 votes in favor and 95 against. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha passed the bill after a prolonged debate, with 288 members voting in favor and 232 opposing it.