Samajwadi Party Moves Supreme Court Against Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 Amid Growing Legal Opposition

New Delhi | April 9, 2025 — The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Wednesday became the latest political entity to approach the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. This move adds to a growing list of legal challenges filed by opposition parties and minority organizations following the enactment of the controversial legislation.

SP Member of Parliament from Sambhal, Zia Ur Rehman Barq, filed a writ petition in the apex court contesting the provisions of the Act. As reported by Bar & Bench, the petition alleges that the law "discriminates against the Muslim community by introducing restrictions that are not applicable to the governance of other religious endowments."

The challenge comes just days after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Bill on April 5, officially making it law. The amendment was passed after lengthy debates in both Houses of Parliament—13 hours in the Lok Sabha and nearly 17 hours in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill cleared the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, reflecting significant political division.

Prominent parties including the Indian National Congress, DMK, and AIMIM have also approached the judiciary to contest the legislation. Among the key petitioners are AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.

In anticipation of judicial scrutiny, the Central Government on Tuesday filed a caveat before the Supreme Court, requesting to be heard prior to any interim relief or ruling issued in response to these petitions. A caveat ensures that the court cannot pass any order without first notifying and hearing the party that filed it.

More than ten petitions challenging the law have already been submitted. According to PTI sources, these matters are likely to be listed before a bench on April 15, although the date has not yet been officially reflected on the Supreme Court’s cause list. On April 7, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s bench assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, that it would consider an early hearing.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which has been the subject of intense public and political debate, is expected to remain a legal and constitutional flashpoint in the coming weeks as judicial review proceedings unfold.