20 Petitions, One Goal: Challenging Waqf Amendment Act in SC

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : The date and bench for hearing the petitions filed regarding the Waqf Amendment Law has been decided. On April 16, a bench of 3 judges headed by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna will hear the case. The other 2 members of the bench are - Justice Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan. The case is at number 13 in the hearing list. There are a total of 10 petitions in the list, the first of which is the petition of AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.

So far, about 20 petitions have been filed against the Waqf Amendment Act. The petitioners include leaders of political parties like Congress, RJD, SP, DMK, AIMIM and AAP, besides Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Arshad Madani and All India Muslim Personal Law Board. The main thing stated in all the petitions is that this is a law that discriminates against Muslims. Waqf is a religious institution. Government interference in its functioning is wrong.

Violation of fundamental rights in the petitions

The petitioners have said that the new Waqf law is against fundamental rights like Articles 14, 15 (equality), 25 (religious freedom), 26 (management of religious matters) and 29 (minority rights) of the Constitution. The petitioners have also said that the change in the law is against Article 300A i.e. the right to property.

The central government has also filed a caveat

Keep in mind that the Central Government has also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. The Centre has demanded that its side be heard before any order. Since the petitions opposing the Waqf Amendment Act also demand a stay on the law. In such a situation, the government has tried to ensure that the court does not give any unilateral order without hearing its side. Apart from this, some petitions have also been filed in support of the law. In these petitions, the new law has been described as correct and just according to the Constitution.