Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 receives President’s assent
Amid nationwide protests by Muslims and Opposition parties, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 received the President’s assent on Saturday.
"The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on April 5, 2025, and is hereby published for general information: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025," the government said in a notification.
The Bill was passed by both houses of parliament after heated debates. In the Rajya Sabha, the bill was passed with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. It was passed in the Lok Sabha early on Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.
Opposition parties and Muslim groups have criticised the new Waqf law, calling it unconstitutional and discriminatory towards Muslims.
The new law has been challenged in the Supreme Court by the Congress, AIMIM, AAP and APCR with separate petitions.
The petitions claimed that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill - now an Act - is "discriminatory towards Muslim", and is a "blatant violation of the fundamental rights of Muslims.”
The Union, however, denied that the amended law interfered with religious practices of Muslims.
The President also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025. The new Waqf Act will come into force on the date when the Union government issues its notification in the official gazette.
