Hyderabad: The Waqf Act Protest Committee for Telangana (WAPCTG), under the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), has termed the Supreme Court’s interim judgment on the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 “incomplete and unsatisfactory,” saying it ignored key constitutional issues.
At a press conference in Hyderabad, senior AIMPLB leaders Dr. Mateen Quadri, Dr. Mohd. Mushtaq Ali, Prof. Quddusia Sultana, and Jaleesa Sultana joined WAPCTG leaders Mufti Omer Abideen, Moulana Shafeeq Alam Khan, and Moulana Gayaz Ahmed Rashadi. Also present were Joint Convenor Mohd Rafathullah Shahid, members Moulana Syed Nisar Ahmed Agha and Moulana Syed Ahmed Hussaini Sayeed Quadri, along with Mufti Mahmood Zubair Qasmi of Jamiat Ulama Hind (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh).
Supreme Court stays some clauses but leaves others
The Supreme Court stayed provisions requiring government validation of waqf ownership. It also blocked Section 3C, which allowed executive officers to decide who could create a waqf. However, leaders said the Court’s decision fell short.
“While the Court has granted partial relief, it has not addressed the wider constitutional concerns, which has left us disappointed,” said Mufti Omer Abideen. He warned that the remaining provisions were arbitrary and open to misuse.
Among the blocked clauses, the Court limited non-Muslim representation to four in the Central Waqf Council and three in State Waqf Boards. It also suspended the rule requiring individuals to prove five years of Islamic practice before creating a waqf.
Concerns grow over remaining provisions
Despite some relief, key clauses remain. These include the derecognition of “waqf by user” and the mandatory requirement of a waqf deed. Leaders called these measures a threat to Islamic legal practices and waqf property protections.
“The government’s approach appears prejudiced,” said Abideen. He warned that active provisions could be used selectively to weaken waqf institutions.
Save Waqf Campaign gains momentum
The AIMPLB reiterated its demand for full repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. Dr. Ilyas said the “Save Waqf Campaign” would intensify in its second phase, launched on 1 September 2025.
The campaign includes dharnas, demonstrations, waqf marches, leadership arrests, interfaith events, and press meets. It will culminate in a massive rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on 16 November 2025, with nationwide participation expected.
