Seven States Back Waqf Act in Supreme Court, Defend Its Constitutional Validity

While politics and protests are going on regarding the Waqf Amendment Act, seven states have approached the Supreme Court in support of it. Several petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act have been filed in the Supreme Court by several political parties and Muslim organizations. At the same time, seven states have approached the apex court in support of this law and have sought to intervene in the matter and present their arguments before the court. These states argue that this Act introduces important reforms aimed at improving the management and regulation of Waqf properties, increasing transparency and ensuring better governance.

Arguments of the states
Madhya Pradesh: The state government has argued that the constitutional objections raised in the case are discriminatory, arbitrary and without any basis and should be rejected at the outset. Further, it said that the Act will bring about substantial reforms in the management and regulation of waqf properties by enhancing transparency, accountability and governance mechanisms.

Chhattisgarh: According to Chhattisgarh’s argument, the Act aims to make the Waqf Board more inclusive, including representation from different Muslim denominations for better Waqf governance and administration. The state claims that the Waqf Act creates a transparent and accountable system for Waqf administration and aims to bring about a transformational change in the management of Waqf properties.

Assam: The state government has stated that the newly added Section 3E prohibits the declaration of any land in scheduled or tribal areas (Fifth Schedule or Sixth Schedule) as Waqf. Assam has eight administrative districts out of a total of 35 falling under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Rajasthan: The government has said that it is not only constitutionally sound and non-discriminatory, but is also based on the values ​​of transparency, fairness and accountability, and protects the public interest, including religious endowments. Rajasthan's petition states that the law does not treat any religious group in any unequivocal way nor does it discriminate. It only sets a reasonable legal framework to prevent unlawful claims.

Apart from this, Maharashtra, Haryana and Uttarakhand have also filed applications saying that the Amendment Act envisages a well-organised, technically and legally strong framework for the management of Waqf properties. At the same time, socio-economic development has been promoted for the beneficiaries.