Page 3 - Waqf Board

'Interim stay violates separation of powers': Centre to SC on Waqf Act

The Centre tells the Supreme Court that it will defend Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying an interim stay would violate the separation of powers and that the law was passed after thorough debate

Some use religion to 'push hateful politics': SY Quraishi slams BJP's Dubey

Former CEC SY Quraishi's comments came in response to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's remarks, in which he called Quraishi a 'Muslim commissioner' for criticising the controversial Waqf Act

We are alleged of encroaching upon parliamentary, executive functions: SC

"As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon the parliamentary and executive functions," Supreme Court's Justice B R Gavai said on Monday in an apparent reference to recent attacks on the judiciary while hearing a matter over West Bengal violence. Justice Gavai, who was heading a bench also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih, made a similar observation in another matter. While one matter was over the recent violence in West Bengal during anti-Waqf law protests, the other plea sought a direction to the Centre to take appropriate steps to prohibit streaming of sexually explicit and pornographic content on OTT and social media platforms. While hearing the plea over online content, Justice Gavai said, "Who can control it? It is for the Union to frame a regulation in that regard." "As it is, we are now criticised that we are interfering with the executive's function, the legislative functions," Justice Gavai told advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain who was appearing in the matter. Aft

Waqf Act row: SC allows party to withdraw plea for probe into WB violence

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the petitioner to withdraw a plea seeking a court-monitored probe into the violence in West Bengal over the newly-amended Waqf (Amendment) Act. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Koiswar Singh allowed the petitioner in-person advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha to withdraw the petition while granting him the liberty to file a fresh plea. The top court pulled up Jha over the averments made in his writ petition saying they were without any proper verification aside from the necessary parties. "You seem to be in some kind of hurry," the bench said. Jha was observed to have relied on media reports and the court asked him to do a proper verification of his claims in the plea and file a fresh one. The Calcutta High Court recently ordered the deployment of central forces in violence-hit Murshidabad district. Several people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless in communal violence in parts of Murshidabad district, mainly Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and

BJP's Nishikant Dubey targets former CEC, calls him a 'Muslim commissioner'

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's remarks came in response to a post in which former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi called the Waqf Amendment Act an "evil plan of the government"

NCW visits riot-hit Murshidabad; TMC calls panel BJP's political wing

A delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by its chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, on Saturday met riot-hit people in West Bengal's Murshidabad district and assured them that the Centre would take necessary steps to ensure their safety. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), however, questioned the NCW's neutrality, accusing it of functioning as a "political wing of the BJP." During the visit, affected women shared their harrowing experiences from the recent communal violence, which claimed three lives. They demanded the establishment of permanent BSF camps in select areas and called for an NIA probe into the clashes. Rahatkar said, "I am dumbfounded by the agony these women are having to suffer. What they went through during the violence is beyond imagination." The NCW chief assured the victims that there was "no cause for worry" as the Centre is with you. "We have come here to see your plight. Please don't worry. The country and the commission are with you. Don't th

Normalcy restored in violence-hit areas of West Bengal, 272 arrested

The violence, which erupted on April 11 during protests against the new Waqf law, resulted in significant property damage, injuries, and the displacement of several families

Why are India and Bangladesh locked in a war of words over Murshidabad violence? India-Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh are sparring diplomatically over the Murshidabad violence in West Bengal. While Dhaka condemns the attacks and denies any involvement, New Delhi has hit back sharply.

HC forms 3-member panel for rehabilitation of Murshidabad violence victims

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered the formation of a three-member committee for the identification and rehabilitation of people displaced by the violence during the protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district. A division bench comprising justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury also said that its interim order of April 12, directing the deployment of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in Murshidabad, will continue. The court said the three-member committee will consist of an official each from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC), besides the member secretary of the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA). "We deem it appropriate to constitute a committee consisting of three officers who shall monitor and coordinate the situation," it said. The committee was directed to identify the displaced persons, extent of damage caused to properties of the victims and also collect the data of the FIRs ...

Opposition welcomes Supreme Court's interim stay on key Waqf Act provisions

Opposition parties also welcomed the SC's interim order that waqf properties, including "waqf by user", will not be denotified until May 5

PM Modi meets Dawoodi Bohras; delegation praises new Waqf law

A delegation of Dawoodi Bohras met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express their gratefulness to him for the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which has accommodated some of their key demands. Officials said the community members told Modi that it was their long-pending demand as they reposed faith in his vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'. They were accompanied by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in the meeting. The community, a prosperous but miniscule minority among Shia Muslims, was represented by noted lawyer Harish Salve during their representation to the Joint Committee of Parliament, which was headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, that had scrutinised the bill tabled in Parliament. It was based on the committee's recommendations that several new amendments were introduced in the bill, which was enacted following its passage in Parliament amid strident criticism from opposition parties. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a batch of pleas challenging the ...

Bengal waqf violence: HC says 'no provocative speeches', forces to stay put

The Calcutta HC asks central forces to stay in riot-hit Murshidabad; urges calm. NHRC to probe Waqf Act protest violence that left three dead, many homeless

Supreme Court bars Waqf Council appointments as Centre seeks time to reply

The Supreme Court bars Centre from making appointments to Waqf Council and boards after government seeks a week's time to file preliminary reply in the ongoing matter; next hearing on May 5

Waqf Act in Supreme Court: What are the three key concerns of the bench?

The bench did not issue any formal order but suggested that certain provisions might be put on hold

Waqf hearing: When we sit on bench, we lose our religion, says CJI

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took strong note of an analogy drawn by the Centre in support of the inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf boards and the argument that by that logic, a bench of Hindu judges should not be hearing pleas related to waqf. The bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan was questioning the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 that allow for the nomination of non-Muslim members to the Central Waqf Council and state waqf boards. "Are you suggesting that minorities, including Muslims, should also be included in boards managing Hindu religious institutions? Please state that openly," the CJI said. Representing the Centre in the matter, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the provisions, emphasising that the inclusion of non-Muslim members is limited and does not affect the predominantly Muslim composition of these bodies. The law officer also said objections to non-Muslim participation coul

Waqf Amendment Act: How Article 26 emerged as a key legal flashpoint in SC

Article 26 of the Constitution took centre stage as the Supreme Court began hearing petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, with Kapil Sibal leading arguments in court

Waqf Act hearing highlights: No interim order as of now, hearing to continue tomorrow

Waqf Amendment Act 2025 Supreme Court hearing highlights: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in both houses of Parliament after amendments proposed by Opposition members were rejected

SC flags issue with undoing 'waqf by user'; says old mosques lack deeds

Supreme Court begins hearing on Waqf Act pleas, says undoing 'waqf by user' problematic as many old masjids have no sale deeds; asks Centre to clarify removal of key provision

Don't allow Waqf Act, keep check on your home minister: Mamata to PM Modi

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has urged PM Modi to scrap the Waqf Act, rein in his home minister, and protect India's democratic values and religious harmony

7 held for clashing with police during anti-Waqf Act protest in Assam

Seven people have been arrested in connection with protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act leading to a clash between agitators and police in Assam's Cachar district, an officer said on Wednesday. The protest march was taken out on Sunday without permission from Berenga Village towards Silchar town and the agitators threw stones at the police with the latter resorting to a mild lathi charge, Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta said. Prohibitory orders were clamped in the district to prevent further outbreak of violence, Mahatta told reporters here. A case was registered in Silchar police station and an operation was conducted in Bagadahar and Kashipur area on Tuesday leading to the arrest of seven people, he said. A local court remanded the arrested people to judicial custody. Mahatta said that investigations were on and there was a possibility of more arrests being made in near future. Prohibitory orders in the district will continue to be in force to prevent any violence a