Congress to challenge Waqf (Amendment) bill in Supreme Court
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New Delhi: The Congress party on Friday announced that it will challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Supreme Court.
In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh, the party member and general secretary in charge of party communications, wrote, "The INC will very soon be challenging in the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024."
The INC's challenge of the CAA, 2019 is being heard in the Supreme Court.The INC's challenge of the 2019 amendments to the RTI Act, 2005 is being heard in the Supreme Court.The INC’s challenge to the validity of the amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules (2024) is being…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 4, 2025
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been approved by Parliament after a lengthy debate. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, following a 12-hour marathon discussion that lasted into the early hours of Friday. The Lok Sabha had previously cleared the bill on Thursday, with 288 votes for and 232 against.
The Congress party has strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill in both Houses of Parliament, condemning it as an assault on the Constitution's fundamental structure. They argue that the bill aims to polarise and divide the country along religious lines. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge emphasised that the bill is flawed, pointing to the significant opposition in the Lok Sabha, where 232 members voted against it.
In a post on X, Kharge wrote in Hindi (loosely translated), "Such an atmosphere has been created in the country regarding the Waqf Board Amendment Bill that this bill has been brought to harass the minorities. When this bill was passed in the Lok Sabha late at night, 288 votes were cast in its favour and 232 against it. Why did this happen? This means that there are many flaws in the bill."
He said that from the huge opposition in the Lower House, it can be surmised that the bill has been brought arbitrarily.
"From this, we can guess that despite opposition from various parties, this bill was brought arbitrarily. "This mighty stick owns the buffalo" – will not be good for anyone!" he further wrote in his post.
The government claims that the Waqf Amendment Bill will greatly benefit millions of poor Muslims without harming any individual Muslim. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju assured that the legislation doesn't interfere with Waqf properties, aligning with the Modi government's vision of "Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas", which emphasises inclusivity and non-discrimination.
After the passage of the bill in both houses of Parliament, Congress is now preparing to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
Jairam Ramesh said the Congress has already challenged all the major decisions of the Modi-led government in the apex court.
Giving a list of these, Ramesh said the party has challenged CAA; the 2019 amendments to the RTI Act, 2005; the validity of the amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules (2024); and has also filed an intervention to uphold the letter and spirit of the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
"We are confident and will continue to resist all assaults of the Modi govt on the principles, provisions, and practices that are contained in the Constitution of India," Ramesh further wrote in the post.
(inputs from IANS)