Waqf Act in Supreme Court

While political debate and protests against the Waqf Amendment Act continue, seven states have moved the Supreme Court in support of this Act. Many political parties and Muslim organizations have filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the Act, while seven states have demanded the apex court to intervene and submit their arguments to support it. These states say that the Act presents significant reforms with the aim of improving the management and regulation of Waqf properties, increasing transparency and ensuring better governance.

States’s arguments:

• Madhya Pradesh: The state government says that the constitutional objections raised against the Waqf Amendment Act are discriminatory and arbitrary and have no concrete basis. The state argues that these objections should be rejected immediately. Apart from this, Madhya Pradesh also said that this Act is a big step towards transparency, accountability and good governance by improving the management and regulation of Waqf properties.
• Chhattisgarh: The Government of Chhattisgarh says that the purpose of this Act is to make the Waqf Board more inclusive, so that the representation of various Muslim sects can be ensured and the Waqf administration can be improved. The state claims that this law brings transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties, which will bring a revolutionary change.
• Assam: The Assam government has stated that the newly added Section 3E prohibits the declaration of any land in the Scheduled or Tribal areas (fifth or sixth schedule). Out of a total of 35 administrative districts in Assam, eight districts fall under the sixth schedule of the Constitution.
• Rajasthan: The Rajasthan government says that this Act is not only constitutionally strong and non-discriminatory, but it is based on the values ​​of transparency, fairness and accountability, which protects public interests. The government also says that this law does not treat any religious group unevenly and presents a proper legal framework to prevent illegal claims.

Additionally, Maharashtra, Haryana and Uttarakhand have also filed a petition in the case, stating that the Amendment Act presents a strong, well-organized and legally competent structure for managing Waqf properties, promoting the socio-economic development of the beneficiaries.

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