Kiren Rijiju Hails Supreme Court Ruling On Waqf Act, Calls It A Positive Sign For Democracy

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has described the Supreme Court’s decision to stay several provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 as “a very good sign for our democracy,” according to PTI.

Speaking in Mumbai, the Minister welcomed the ruling, which has held back some contentious clauses but left the law itself intact.

Last week, the Court suspended enforcement of provisions including the rule that only those practising Islam for at least five years could dedicate property as Waqf. However, it declined to halt the operation of the Act in its entirety.

“I believe that whatever the apex court has ruled is a very good sign for our democracy,” Rijiju said, adding that “the provisions in the Act are beneficial to the entire Muslim community.”

He argued that the legislation would curb longstanding misuse of Waqf provisions. “The misuse, including encroachment of property through Waqf Board, will now be stopped with the new legislation,” he said, stressing that “the Supreme Court was aware of the whole issue.”

The Supreme Court on Monday (15 September) issued an interim order halting several controversial provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, while declining to suspend the law entirely.

Among the provisions stayed is Section 3(1)(r), which mandated that only those practising Islam for five years could dedicate property as Waqf. The Court found this open to “arbitrary exercise of power” without state rules in place.

It also suspended clauses empowering collectors to decide whether land was Waqf or government property, with CJI Gavai noting, “Permitting the Collector to determine the rights of the properties is against the doctrine of separation of powers.”

However, provisions on CEO appointments and registration requirements remain, though the Court urged preference for Muslim candidates as CEOs.

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