Waqf Act: SP moves Supreme Court against new law, says it 'discriminates against Muslims'

NEW DELHI: The Samajwadi Party on Wednesday moved to the Supreme Court, challenging the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025.Since President Draupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf Amendment Bill, several political parties like Congress, DMK, and AIMIM have taken the legal route to challenge the Bill. SP MP from Sambhal Lok Sabha, Zia Ur Rehman Barq has filed a writ petition before Supreme Court challenging Bill. According to the Bar and Bench, the plea said, "Act discriminates against the Muslim community by introducing restrictions that are not applicable to the governance of other religious endowments."Meanwhile, the Centre submitted a caveat in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, requesting to be heard before any ruling on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A caveat filing ensures that courts cannot pass orders without hearing the party that filed it.Multiple petitions, exceeding 10 in number, have been filed in the Supreme Court contesting the newly enacted legislation. The petitioners include politicians like AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.These petitions are expected to be heard before a court bench on April 15, although this information is not yet visible on the Supreme Court's official website, according to PTI citing sources.On April 7, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna's bench assured senior counsel Kapil Sibal, who represents Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, that they would consider scheduling the petitions for hearing.The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, received presidential approval from Droupadi Murmu on April 5, following its passage through Parliament with intense discussions in both houses.The Rajya Sabha passed the bill on Friday morning with 128 votes in favor and 95 against, after almost 17 hours of debate. The Lok Sabha had approved the legislation earlier in the week following a 13-hour-long discussion.