AIMPLB protests in Kalaburagi against Waqf Amendment Act

The AIMPLB protested in Kalaburagi against the Waqf Amendment Act. Meanwhile, the Centre defended the law in the Supreme Court, stating it regulates secular aspects without violating religious rights.

Kalaburagi : The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday held a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act in Karnataka's Kalaburagi on Sunday. 

On Friday, the Union Government filed its preliminary affidavit in the Supreme Court while seeking dismissal of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 as it said the law is not violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

The Centre said the amendments are only for the regulation of the secular aspect regarding the management of the properties and hence, there was no violation of the religious freedoms guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.

The Central government asked the court not to stay any provisions of the Act and said that it is a settled position in law that constitutional courts would not stay a statutory provision, either directly or indirectly, and will decide the matter finally.
It said taking away the statutory protection to a Waqf-by-user does not deprive a person of the Muslim community to create a Waqf.

The affidavit further stated that a "deliberate, purposeful and intentionally misleading narrative" is built very mischievously giving an impression that those Waqfs (including 'Waqf-by-user') which do not have document to support their claims will be affected."This is not only untrue and false but purposefully and deliberately misleading this court," Centre said.

For being protected as 'Waqf-by-user' under proviso to Section 3(1)(r), no trust, deed or any documentary proof has been insisted upon in the amendment or even prior there to, said the Centre.

"The only mandatory requirement for being protected under the proviso is that such 'Waqf-by-user' should be registered as on April 8, 2025 since the registration has always been mandatory as per the statute governing Waqfs since last 100 years," the affidavit further added.

Those, who deliberately evaded or avoided to get Waqf-by-user registered (despite non-registration being punitive under the statute) cannot claim the benefits of the proviso, said the government.

It further said that the concept of Waqf, therefore, is distinguishable from mere religious denominations or places of worship.