Sun May 11 13:44:18 UTC 2025: **Kerala to Challenge Waqf Amendment Act in Supreme Court**
KOCHI, May 11, 2025 – The Kerala government will challenge the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in the Supreme Court, Law Minister P. Rajeeve announced today. The state will file an impleading petition this week, arguing that the Act violates constitutional provisions and infringes on the freedom of religious denominations.
The Act, passed by the Union government, replaces the election of Waqf Board members with nominations, a move Kerala strongly opposes as undemocratic. The state also objects to the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board. A unanimous resolution by the Kerala legislature last October urged the central government to withdraw the amendments, citing concerns about federalism and the weakening of state Waqf Boards and Tribunals.
While some groups, notably a section of the Church involved in the Munambam protests, supported the legislation, several Muslim organizations in Kerala campaigned against it. The Kerala government’s petition to the Supreme Court will reflect the state’s consistent opposition to the Act, expressed both in the legislature and before the Joint Parliament Committee. The case is expected to be heard by a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai after he assumes office as Chief Justice of India on May 14.
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