Arunachal Pradesh Visit: Paswan Advocates for Waqf Act Implementation, Empowering Muslim Community
Fresh Plea in SC Challenges Validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act
A fresh petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, a religious organization of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics in Kerala, has filed the plea, claiming that the amendments will distort the religious character of Waqfs and irreversibly damage the democratic process in their administration.
The petition alleges that the Act is a “blatant intrusion” into the rights of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs in matters of religion, protected under Article 26 of the Constitution. It further claims that the Act is against the federal principles of the Constitution, as it takes away all powers of state governments and state Waqf Boards, accumulating all powers into the hands of the central government.
This isn’t the first challenge to the Act, as several petitions have been filed in the apex court, including those by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan. An NGO, Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, has also filed a petition, challenging the validity of the bill.
Meanwhile, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has voiced strong support for the Waqf Act, stating that it will ensure justice for the poor sections of the Muslim community. Paswan, who visited Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, said that his party members were part of the joint parliamentary committee and suggested important points that were incorporated into the final draft. He accused the opposition of opposing the bill due to double standards.
President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. The Act aims to benefit the poor and ensure justice for the Muslim community. Paswan’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh is seen as part of his outreach ahead of upcoming political engagements in the Northeast.
In his address to the media, Paswan mentioned that he had thoroughly read the bill and was happy that the government considered their inputs. He also praised his party’s founder, Ram Vilas Paswan, who had worked for the upliftment of the Muslim community. As his son, Chirag Paswan assured the Muslim community that the Act is a step towards justice.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has sparked controversy, with many opposition leaders and religious organizations expressing concerns about its impact on the administration of Waqfs. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the pleas challenging the Act’s validity, which could have significant implications for the Muslim community and the country’s federal structure.
Original Source: https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2025/04/07/paswan-bats-for-waqf-act-during-arunachal-visit/
Category : State News
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Publish Date: 2025-04-07 01:13:00
