May 22, 2025 - Yesterday, May 21, the Supreme Court concluded its second day of hearing on the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 petitions questioning its Constitutional validity. The two-member Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih heard arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who was representing the Union Government.

SG Mehta, during the day-long hearing, challenged the arguments put forward by the petitioners.

Mehta argues that the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 “resolved problems that the British and successive Indian government could not resolve.” He said that the inclusion of the non-Muslims in the Board was to provide a secular aspect and increase diversity and there was no basis in the claim that government could take over Waqf land. The Act only provided for change in revenue records, the SG attempted to clarify.

He further said, “Waqf is an Islamic concept. But it is not an essential part of Islam. Waqf is nothing but just charity in Islam. Charity is recognised in every religion, and it cannot be regarded as an essential tenet of any religion.”

The hearing will continue today, May 22, 2025. More than 100 petitions have been filed against the amendments terming them as an “infringement upon the rights of the Muslims.”

With Media Inputs