Rashtriya Janata Dal MPs To Challenge Waqf (Amendment) Bill In Supreme Court; Joins Growing List Of Petitioners

New Delhi: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will reportedly move the Supreme Court on Monday, April 7, challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. According to reports, party leaders Manoj Jha and Fayaz Ahmed are set to file a petition, arguing that the newly passed law could adversely impact the management of Waqf properties and violate key constitutional protections.

The Bill, which was passed by both houses of the Parliament on Friday, April 4, after intense debates, has stirred opposition from several political parties and civil society groups, many of whom have already taken legal recourse.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court

RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "The first batch of petitions from Rashtriya Janata Dal will be uploaded tomorrow and after that, many of our affiliated organizations are going… pic.twitter.com/V8QIRNcXUQ

— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025

Congress Calls Waqf Bill 'Discriminatory'

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed was among the first to challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill in court. In his petition filed on April 4, Jawed argued that the revised bill is “discriminatory towards the Muslim community and violates their fundamental rights.” His plea contended that the Bill breaches Articles 14, 25, 26, 29, and 300A of the Constitution.

According to a report by NDTV, Advocate Anas Tanwir, who filed the petition, criticised the bill for imposing “arbitrary restrictions on Waqf properties and their management, thereby undermining the religious autonomy of the Muslim community.” The petition also raised concerns over provisions that allegedly restrict the creation of Waqf based on one's duration of the religious practice.

Other Petitions Against the Bill & Political Reactions

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also approached the Apex Court against the newly passed law. Echoing similar constitutional concerns, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan also filed a petition on Saturday, April 5. Khan contened that the law infringes upon minority rights, promotes arbitrary executive interference, and impacts the autonomy of Muslim charitable institutions.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that his party has decided not to pursue any legal action against the Bill. “No. We have done our work. We have said what we had to say and made our decision. This file is closed for us now,” Raut said in a press statement.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has pledged to launch nationwide protests against the Bill. In a statement, the Board criticised the government’s stance, calling it “regrettable” and confirming it would resort to both protests and legal avenues.

The Association for Protection of Civil Rights, an NGO, has also filed a petition, further widening the legal challenge to the Bill.

What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025?

First introduced in August 2024, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, revises the Waqf Act of 1995. It aims to streamline Waqf property administration through enhanced registration processes and integration of technology. The bill was passed after suggestions from a Joint Parliamentary Committee and has since received the Presidential assent.