SC Stay on Waqf Act Provisions a Slap on Centre’s Arrogance: Congress Leader Naseem Khan

Mumbai (PTI): Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Naseem Khan has called the Supreme Court’s interim order on the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 a “slap on the arrogance” of the BJP-led Union government, accusing it of trying to override constitutional principles through brute parliamentary power.

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed several controversial provisions of the amended Waqf Act. These include the clause that restricted individuals from dedicating property as waqf unless they had been practising Islam for at least five years. The court also paused the provision empowering District Collectors to adjudicate the status of waqf properties.

In a significant ruling on the composition of Waqf Boards, the apex court directed that the Central Waqf Council should not have more than four non-Muslim members out of 20, and State Waqf Boards should be limited to three non-Muslim members out of 11.

While the court stopped short of staying the entire law, the interim relief was welcomed by critics of the amendment, who had raised concerns about religious freedom, minority rights, and misuse of administrative powers.

Reacting to the court’s order, Naseem Khan—former Maharashtra minister and Congress Working Committee member—said,

“The ruling party believed its brute majority allowed it to bulldoze the Parliament. The Supreme Court’s decision has once again exposed the Modi government. Today’s order is a slap on their arrogance and a reminder that even the strongest majority cannot silence the Constitution.”

The Supreme Court is expected to hear further arguments on the matter in the coming weeks.