MUMBAI: City-based social activist Muhammed Jameel Merchant, one of the five petitioners who had challenged the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, said that the victory was limited.
"While we had high hopes that the Court would stay the entire Act, the Court granted interim relief on three key provisions while keeping other crucial issues pending for final adjudication.The victory is limited,” Merchant said.
An SC division bench comprising CJI Justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that while it found no case was made out to stay the whole statute, some sections, including the sweeping powers granted to district collectors, needed a stay.
“This is a partial victory as it falls short of the comprehensive relief we sought. While we welcome the Court's intervention on the discriminatory five-year Islamic practice requirement for the persons who want to do Waqf his properties, we remain deeply concerned about other unconstitutional provisions that continue to operate.”
Merchant said that he would continue the legal battle until the final adjudication of this matter.
He had hit the headlines when he became the only petitioner from Maharashtra, out of the five from across the country, challenging the allegedly "discriminatory" law.
Merchant said that the legal panel comprising senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan, Advocate Ejaz Maqbool , Advocate Burhan V Bukhari from Mumbai and Advocate Saif Zia worked tirelessly
"Their hard work and wisdom are what secured this victory for us. We hope that the final verdict will further improve and correct the administration of Waqf properties. We will continue to work towards securing a law which is transparent and beneficial for everyone,” he said.
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