"Knocked door of SC, got relief": Zia Ur Rehman Barq on Supreme Court's observations on Waqf Act

New Delhi [India], April 17 (ANI): Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq expressed satisfaction on Thursday with the Supreme Court's observations on petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, despite the court not addressing all the demands made in the petitions.
Barq stated that they will pursue further hearings to get complete relief.
Speaking to ANI, Barq said, "The demand in the petition has not been answered yet, but we are satisfied with the order by the Supreme Court for now. We will try to ensure that the remaining points are covered in the upcoming hearings and we get complete relief... We approached the court because our plea wasn't answered in the Parliament..."
Barq filed a petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that the amendments violate fundamental rights, particularly the removal of "Waqf by user" and induction of non-Muslim members into Waqf councils.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna heard petitions, including Barq's, which claim the Act infringed on Articles 14, 15, 21, and 25 of the Constitution.
He also acknowledged the court's consideration of several concerns, including issues raised by the petitioners, and noted the ban on appointments to the Waqf Boards and Council, as well as the question regarding the inclusion of Muslims in other religious institutions.
"The respected Supreme Court has commented on that, and we, not just our community, the entire country, look at the respected Supreme Court from the point of view that if their rights are violated, they will get justice. If there is a denial of any rights, they will get justice from the respected Supreme Court. With this hope, we knocked on the door of SC, and right now we have got some relief," Barq said.
Barq emphasised the importance of approaching the Supreme Court, saying, "We tried inside Parliament, but we could not get justice. That is why we knocked on the door here."
The court has taken note of several concerns, including issues raised by petitioners, the ban on appointments to Waqf Boards and Councils, and questions about the inclusion of Muslims in other religious institutions.
The Centre assured the Supreme Court on Thursday that key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, including the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards, as well as provisions on de-notifying Waqf properties, will not be given effect to for some time.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan recorded the assurance given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to the apex court that, until the next date of hearing, Waqf properties, including 'Waqf by user', which are declared by notification or registered, will not be de-notified.
Furthermore, the Solicitor General assured the court that no appointments will be made to the Waqf Council or Waqf boards.
The Centre also sought additional time to file a response to petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The bench granted a week's time for the Centre to submit a response, and petitioners will be allowed to file their rejoinder within five days thereafter.
The matter has been posted for hearing in the week commencing May 5. "The hearing on the next date will only be for directions and interim orders, if any," the bench added.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Mehta urged the bench not to stay the provisions of the Act, saying that the law was enacted after considering many representations and suggestions.
"Government is answerable to the people. The government received lakhs of representations. Villages are taken as Waqf, and many lands are claimed as Waqf. It is a considered piece of legislation," Mehta said.
He added that staying the Act would be a "harsh step" and requested a week to file a preliminary reply along with relevant documents before the court. "This is not a matter that can be considered lightly," he said. (ANI)