SC Suspends Key Sections of Waqf Act, Keeps Rest Intact
The Supreme Court of India on Monday put on hold certain provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, while refusing to suspend the entire law. The court said it could only stay the whole law in “rarest of rare” circumstances.
Provisions Stayed
The court suspended the clause which requires a person to have practiced Islam for at least five years in order to dedicate property as a waqf. It also stayed the provision that limits the number of non-Muslim members on State Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council.
What Remains in Force
All other parts of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, remain valid and operative pending final adjudication. The court has asked for states to frame rules to determine who qualifies as a “practicing Muslim” for purposes of the Act.
Reactions & Legal Context
Supporters see the interim order as a balanced approach, preserving the Act’s main goals while protecting rights until full judicial review. Critics had argued that some provisions were discriminatory and violated constitutional guarantees, especially the requirement of religious practice duration.
