THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Sept 15: The Supreme Court has delivered its interim order on petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The court declined to suspend the entire law but stayed certain provisions, observing that some clauses require protection.
The bench put a stay on the provision that required a person to have followed Islam for at least five years before creating a Waqf. The court clarified that this clause will remain suspended until rules are framed to determine whether an individual is a follower of Islam.
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On the issue of non-Muslim members, the court ruled that the number of non-Muslim representatives on Waqf Boards will be capped at three. The registration provision, however, was not stayed, though the court extended the timeline for compliance.
Final verdict still awaited
The order is only interim in nature. The final decision will come after a detailed hearing. For now, the court has attempted to strike a balance in this sensitive matter, addressing concerns of religious freedom, administrative transparency, and constitutional rights.
Advocate Anas Tanwir, who filed one of the petitions, welcomed the order as a positive beginning. He noted that, for the first time, the Supreme Court has acknowledged prima facie grounds for staying certain provisions.
While the entire Act has not been put on hold, several key clauses have been suspended for the time being.
