'Very disturbing': SC on violence over anti-Waqf law protests

New Delhi

The Supreme Court raised concerns over violent protests related to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. During the hearing on Wednesday, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna said, “One thing that is very disturbing is the violence which is taking place. Once the matter is before court, it should not happen.”

The Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, scheduled the next hearing for Thursday at 2 p.m. to review petitions challenging the amendment's constitutional validity. The court indicated that it may issue an interim order protecting Waqf properties that have already been declared as such through legal or other means from being denotified.

The court also proposed that the amended provision allowing the Collector to stop treating a Waqf property as such during government land inquiry should not be implemented. Additionally, the Bench intends to issue an order requiring that only Muslims, excluding ex-officio members, serve on Waqf boards and the Central Waqf Council.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed any interim order and asked for time for the Union government to respond.

Multiple petitions from leaders like Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and various Muslim organizations have claimed the amendments violate several constitutional rights. Meanwhile, several BJP-ruled states have filed responses supporting the Act, saying it benefits poor Muslims.

The concept of Waqf refers to Islamic charitable endowments like mosques, schools, and hospitals.