Congress Moves SC Against Waqf Amendment Bill, Calls It “Discriminatory”

New Delhi: Congress MP Mohammad Javed has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, alleging it discriminates against Muslims and violates their fundamental rights. The bill, cleared by both Houses of Parliament after heated 12-hour debates on April 2–3, awaits presidential assent. Javed, a member of the joint parliamentary committee on the bill, argues it imposes "arbitrary restrictions" on religious endowments under Islamic law. His petition claims the amendments infringe on Article 25 (right to practice religion) and Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination), particularly targeting recent converts seeking to dedicate property for religious purposes. The Congress had earlier signaled legal action, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh vowing to approach the SC after the bill’s Rajya Sabha passage on Thursday. DMK from Tamil Nadu has also threatened a court challenge. With the legislation now headed for a judicial showdown, the government faces fresh opposition over what critics call an overreach into Muslim charitable trusts.