"We are seeing interim order cautiously": Asaduddin Owaisi on Supreme Court hearing on Waqf Act

New Delhi [India], April 18 (ANI): All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said that his party and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's (AIMPLB) stand that the Waqf Act is "unconstitutional" and violates fundamental rights.
Owaisi stated that he had carefully examined the interim order of the Supreme Court, as it involves 45 amendments to the law. He noted that if the Union Government were to enact a law weakening Waqf, it would be against federalism. He further reiterated his stance that the law is intended to destroy Waqf property.
"It has been our party's and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's stand that this black law is unconstitutional as it violates fundamental rights. We are reviewing the interim order cautiously because it contains approximately 40-45 amendments to this law...When the Government of India makes rules that weaken Waqf, it will be against the principles of federalism. There are many sections in this law that weaken the Waqf. Our legal battle and protest against it will continue. This law is not to save the Waqf but to destroy it...We will support the protests by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board", Asaduddin Owaisi told ANI.
Congress leader Salman Khurshid spoke about the Supreme Court's hearing on the Waqf Act, stating that the full argument will be presented in court. He stated that the Supreme Court will make the final decision, and nothing will take effect before it. Khurshid stated that even if a new law is enacted, it will still have to be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
"The full argument will be presented in the court, what will be the consequences for the society, and why is there interference in it? ... The final decision lies with the Supreme Court; nothing works before it. Even if a new law is enacted, it too must be reviewed by the Supreme Court. Ultimately, the decision of the Supreme Court has to be accepted ", Khurshid said.
Earlier, the Union Government 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. (ANI)