Wed May 21 03:49:16 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article based on it:

**Summary:**

The Supreme Court of India is hearing a challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Petitioners argue the law, which allows the government to investigate and potentially reclassify Waqf properties (properties dedicated to religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law), is a “creeping acquisition” of Muslim community assets and violates Article 25 (freedom of religion). The Centre defends the Act, stating Waqf is a secular concept and that the law has a “presumption of constitutionality.” The court is hearing arguments on Section 3C, which deals with the process for determining if a property declared as waqf is actually government property. Petitioners argue this section gives the government undue power and lacks sufficient judicial oversight. The Centre disputes this, claiming there are multiple layers of adjudication. The law has undergone extensive review, including consultation with Waqf boards. A key point of contention is the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf administrative bodies, which petitioners claim is unprecedented and discriminatory.

**News Article:**

**Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Waqf Act, Sparking Debate on Minority Rights**

**New Delhi, May 21, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India is currently hearing arguments in a case challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, a law that governs the administration of properties dedicated to religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. The legal challenge has ignited a national debate about minority rights and the potential for government overreach.

Petitioners, representing the Muslim community, the largest religious minority in India, argue the Act amounts to a “creeping acquisition” of Waqf properties. They specifically criticized Section 3C of the Act, which outlines a process for government officials to investigate and potentially reclassify properties declared as Waqf, claiming this process lacks adequate judicial oversight. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued, “The 2025 amendments are a ruse to capture Waqfs. Property can be acquired by the government through a legislative diktat, that too without payment of compensation… These amendments directly encroach on a minority community’s rights under Article 25 (freedom of religion).”

The Central government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, defended the Act. Mr. Mehta argued that Waqf is inherently a secular concept and that the law enjoys a “presumption of constitutionality.” He emphasized that the Act was the result of extensive consultations, including a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that held 36 sittings and received 9.7 million representations. He denied claims that Section 3C allows for a “wholesale takeover” of Waqf properties, insisting there are multiple levels of appeal available. He assured that there will be no eviction from waqf property until entire judicial process of review is completed.

The court also heard arguments regarding the composition of Waqf boards, with petitioners raising concerns about the inclusion of non-Muslim members in administrative bodies. They argue this is discriminatory, as other religious endowments in India do not allow people of different faiths to oversee their institutions.

The case before a bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai is ongoing, with the court expected to continue hearing arguments in the coming days. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the management of Waqf properties and the rights of religious minorities in India.

Chennai based lawyer advocate H Mohamed Ismail filled a plea in Supreme court to intervene in the ongoing hearing on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. He said that waqf, as conceptualised in the Holy Quran and Hadith, is inherently secular and not confined to religious purposes.

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