Direct Answer
- The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has not been removed from the constitution, as it is a legislative act, not part of the constitution, and is currently facing legal challenges but remains law as of April 13, 2025.
- Muslims have opposed the act through protests and legal actions, which seem likely to protect their rights by keeping the issue under scrutiny.
- Effective protests include street demonstrations, symbolic acts like tearing the bill in Parliament, legal petitions, and political dissent, all of which have raised awareness and pressured the government.
Background
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed by Parliament in early April 2025, aims to reform Waqf property management but has sparked controversy for allegedly infringing on Muslim rights. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025, with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, and by the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2025, with 128 votes for and 95 against, before receiving presidential assent.
Protests and Opposition
Following its passage, protests erupted across cities like Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru, with Muslims and organizations expressing dissent through banners, slogans, and demonstrations. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tore a copy of the bill in Parliament, calling it unconstitutional and a divisive move by the BJP.
Legal Challenges
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and Asaduddin Owaisi filed petitions in the Supreme Court, arguing the act violates constitutional rights like equality and religious freedom. The court has agreed to consider these for urgent hearing, but no final ruling has been made as of April 13, 2025.
How to Protest and Effective Methods
To protest, consider joining or organizing peaceful street protests, using symbolic acts to draw attention, filing legal petitions, and engaging politically through dissent. These methods have been effective in raising awareness and pressuring the government, as seen in recent actions.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 and Opposition Efforts
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has emerged as a significant point of contention in India, reflecting tensions between legislative reforms and the protection of Muslim community rights. This survey note provides a comprehensive overview of the act's passage, the protests it triggered, legal challenges, and the strategies employed to oppose it, based on available information as of April 13, 2025.
Context and Passage of the Act
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, with the stated objective of enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties, which include mosques, madrassas, shelter homes, and vast land holdings valued at billions of dollars. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025, with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, and by the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2025, with 128 votes for and 95 against. It received presidential assent shortly thereafter, becoming the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), argued that the act addresses issues like corruption and mismanagement, as highlighted by the 2006 Sachar Committee, which found Waqf assets undervalued and generating minimal income despite their vast worth (The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 - Wikipedia).
However, the act has been controversial, with critics alleging it dilutes Muslim rights and introduces state control over religious endowments. The opposition, including parties like Congress and AIMIM, has labeled it unconstitutional, leading to widespread protests and legal challenges.
Protests Across India
Following the bill's passage, protests erupted in multiple cities, reflecting strong community opposition. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the Gujarat unit president of AIMIM and nearly 40 members were detained for protesting after Friday Namaz, with large crowds blocking roads and raising slogans against the bill (From streets to SC: Protests erupt across India against Waqf Bill - Times of India). In Kolkata, Muslims carried banners reading "We reject Waqf Amendment Bill" and "Reject Waqf Bill," organized by the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection, with visuals reported by ANI. Similar protests occurred in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru, where Muslim organizations and political parties held demonstrations to express dissent.
A notable symbolic act of protest occurred in Parliament, where AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tore a copy of the bill during the debate, comparing his action to Mahatma Gandhi's civil disobedience in South Africa. He stated, "Like Gandhi, I am also tearing up this law. This is unconstitutional. The BJP wants to create divisiveness in the name of temples and mosques," highlighting the perceived threat to Muslim rights (From streets to SC: Protests erupt across India against Waqf Bill - Times of India).
The protests were not limited to urban centers; violent demonstrations also erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad and Tripura's Unakoti, indicating the intensity of opposition (The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 - Wikipedia). These actions have kept the issue in the public eye, pressuring the government to address community concerns.
| Location | Details of Protests | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad, Gujarat | AIMIM members detained, large crowds blocked roads, raised slogans. | Police action reported. |
| Kolkata | Banners like "We reject Waqf Amendment Bill," organized by Joint Forum for Waqf Protection. | Visuals by ANI. |
| Chennai | Protests by Muslim organizations against the bill. | |
| Coimbatore | Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam protested at Tahsildar’s office, demanded bill withdrawal. | |
| Bengaluru | Muslim organizations held protests against the bill. | |
| Murshidabad, West Bengal | Violent protests reported. | |
| Unakoti, Tripura | Violent protests reported. |
Legal Challenges in the Supreme Court
The opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, has extended to the legal arena, with several petitions filed in the Supreme Court challenging its constitutionality. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi separately filed petitions on April 4, 2025, through advocate Anas Tanwir, before presidential assent, alleging infringement on fundamental rights (Congress MP moves Supreme Court against Waqf Amendment Bill - Times of India). The petitions argue that the act violates Articles 14 (equality), 25 and 26 (freedom of religion), 29 (minority rights), and 300A (property rights) of the Indian Constitution. Specific concerns include arbitrary restrictions based on the duration of religious practice, affecting recent converts, and the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council, seen as lacking justification compared to Hindu or Sikh trusts.
The Samajwadi Party also filed a writ petition on April 9, 2025, joining over 10 other petitioners, including Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, arguing the act discriminates against Muslims (Waqf Act: SP moves Supreme Court against new law - Times of India). The Supreme Court, on April 7, 2025, agreed to consider listing these petitions for urgent hearing, with Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna stating they would be scheduled in due course (Petitions Challenging Waqf Amendment Act 2025 Mentioned Before Supreme Court - Live Law). As of April 13, 2025, no final ruling has been issued, but these legal challenges provide a formal avenue to contest the act's validity.
Political Reactions and Resignations
The bill's passage has also led to significant political fallout. Five leaders from the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), including Nadeem Akhtar, Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik, and Mohammed Kasim Ansari, resigned after the party supported the bill. Raju Nayyar called it a "black law oppressing Muslims," reflecting internal dissent within the NDA alliance (From streets to SC: Protests erupt across India against Waqf Bill - Times of India). Opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, alleged the bill was "bulldozed through" in the Lok Sabha, part of the BJP's polarization strategy. Pramod Tiwari of Congress termed it against the spirit of the Constitution, while Saugata Roy of TMC supported Mamata Banerjee's remarks, stating it would create division among communities (From streets to SC: Protests erupt across India against Waqf Bill - Times of India).
The voting patterns in Parliament, with significant opposition in both houses, underscore the political divide, with the Rajya Sabha seeing 128 votes for and 95 against, and the Lok Sabha 288 for and 232 against.
Strategies for Protest and Effectiveness
The opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, has employed a range of strategies, which seem likely to have been effective in raising awareness and pressuring the government. These include:
- Nationwide Street Protests: Large-scale demonstrations in cities like Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru have drawn media attention and public sympathy, showcasing the community's opposition. These protests, often peaceful but sometimes violent, have kept the issue visible.
- Symbolic Acts: Asaduddin Owaisi's act of tearing the bill in Parliament served as a powerful symbol of defiance, drawing significant media coverage and reinforcing the narrative of unconstitutional overreach. Such acts have been effective in mobilizing public opinion.
- Legal Challenges: Filing petitions in the Supreme Court, as done by Congress, AIMIM, and the Samajwadi Party, provides a formal mechanism to contest the act's constitutionality. These challenges, citing violations of fundamental rights, have ensured judicial scrutiny, with hearings expected around April 15, 2025.
- Political Dissent: Resignations from political parties like JD(U) and strong statements from opposition leaders have underscored the political significance of the issue, pressuring the government and highlighting internal divisions within the ruling alliance.
These methods, combined, have created a multi-faceted opposition, keeping the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, under public and judicial scrutiny, potentially safeguarding Muslim rights by delaying implementation and fostering dialogue.
Conclusion
As of April 13, 2025, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, remains law, but the robust opposition through protests, legal challenges, and political dissent suggests a strong effort to protect Muslim community rights. The effectiveness of these strategies lies in their ability to raise awareness, mobilize support, and leverage constitutional mechanisms, ensuring the issue remains a focal point of national debate.
Key Citations
- From streets to SC: Protests erupt across India against Waqf Bill - Times of India
- Congress MP moves Supreme Court against Waqf Amendment Bill - Times of India
- Waqf Act: SP moves Supreme Court against new law - Times of India
- Petitions Challenging Waqf Amendment Act 2025 Mentioned Before Supreme Court - Live Law
- The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 - Wikipedia
