The Supreme Court on Monday issued an important interim order on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. While the Court did not suspend the entire Act, it temporarily stayed the implementation of several controversial provisions. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who argued for the petitioners, said the ruling had provided “70–80% relief” on the most problematic aspects of the law.
One of the major clauses put on hold was the requirement that a person must have practiced Islam for at least five years before creating a waqf. The Court also stayed the provision that allowed properties to lose their waqf status during inquiries. In addition, it directed that waqf boards and councils should have a Muslim majority, ensuring representation in their functioning.
According to Singhvi, while the Court did not strike down the Act, it addressed the core grievances raised by petitioners. “We got 70–80% of the major irritants stayed,” Singhvi said, stressing that the most discriminatory provisions have been halted for now.
The Supreme Court, however, clarified that the Act remains in force in areas that were not stayed. This means that the broader framework of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 continues to apply, pending a final judgment.
The interim order has been welcomed by many community groups and legal experts who had argued that some clauses of the Act were unconstitutional. At the same time, stakeholders are cautious, pointing out that the legal battle is far from over. The case will now proceed to further hearings, where the Court will decide whether the stayed provisions will be struck down or modified.
