Centre Files Caveat in Supreme Court Over Waqf Act Petitions
The Central Government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court in response to a batch of petitions that challenge the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act. This step ensures that no order will be passed in the matter without hearing the government’s side. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter for hearing on April 15.
Waqf Act Petitions Raise Legal Questions
The petitions raise significant legal questions about the scope and constitutional grounding of the Waqf Act. While the specific arguments made in these pleas have not been disclosed, they reportedly question the exclusive rights granted to Waqf Boards and the Act’s compatibility with the principles of equality and secularism enshrined in the Constitution.
Supreme Court Caveat Ensures Centre’s Hearing
By filing a caveat, the Centre has effectively reserved its right to be heard before any interim or final decision is issued by the Court. It is a procedural safeguard meant to prevent any one-sided ruling without the Union government’s participation in the hearings. The filing also signals the government’s intention to defend the provisions of the Waqf Act, which have long been a subject of political and legal debate.
Centre’s Legal Move May Have Broad Impact
The upcoming hearing could have far-reaching consequences for how religious endowments are governed in India. The Waqf Act regulates properties dedicated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. Critics argue that the Act creates an unequal framework by affording certain powers to Waqf Boards that are not available to religious institutions of other communities.
The case has drawn attention from various legal and political circles, as it touches upon the broader themes of secular governance, minority rights, and institutional accountability. The Supreme Court’s ruling, whenever it comes, could potentially reshape the landscape of religious property administration in the country.
