Waqf Law: 'Court's interim order on provisions of Waqf law is a normal process', statement of former law minister

Former Law Minister Ashwini Kumar reacted to the Supreme Court's interim order regarding the Waqf Act. He said that the interim order of the court on the provisions of the Waqf Act is a normal process. The court often does this in important cases. This does not mean that the petitioners lost or the central government won.

The former Law Minister said that it is clear from the interim order of the Supreme Court that the court will hear the case after seven days due to important questions of constitutional law. The interim order has also been given by the court after the assurance of the Solicitor General. It is clear from this that the court is following the normal procedure in hearing the important case. This does not mean at all that the petitioners won or lost and neither does it mean that the government won or lost.

Let us tell you that the Supreme Court on Thursday heard the petitions filed regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. On the demand of the Center, the bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Vishwanathan gave seven days to the government to file a reply. The government also assured that till the next hearing, 'Waqf on behalf of the user' or 'Waqf on behalf of the documents' properties will not be de-notified. After this, the court fixed May 5 as the next date of the case.

Government's argument

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the government, said that the government is accountable to the people. The government got lakhs of representatives, every village was included in the Waqf. Waqf is claimed on so many lands. It is considered a part of the law. On the opinion of interim stay, Mehta said that staying the law would be a harsh step. He sought a week's time to file an initial reply with some documents before the court. The Solicitor General assured that there will be no appointment of the Board or Council during this time. He also said that this is not a matter which can be considered in this way.

The Supreme Court said that the Solicitor General assured the court that no appointment would be made in the council and board. The court said that the Solicitor General assured that till the next hearing date, the Waqf, which includes Waqf-by-user already registered or declared through notification, will neither be denotified nor the Collector will take any decision in this regard. The Supreme Court said that the Center should file a reply within seven days. Till then the status quo will remain.