Raj govt seeks to join SC case on Waqf Amendment Act

Jaipur: The Rajasthan govt Sunday moved an impleader application in Supreme Court seeking to be included in ongoing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which Parliament passed earlier this month. The petitions are scheduled for hearing on Wednesday.

"We have asserted that the govt has a direct, substantial, and legally protectable interest in the matter, being the primary executive authority responsible for the administration and regulation of Waqf properties within Rajasthan. The intervention seeks to present the legislative intent, constitutional justification, and administrative realities behind the Amendment Act, 2025, which was passed after extensive national consultations," said Shiv Mangal Sharma, Additional Advocate General.

The state govt's application supported the Waqf (Amendment) Act as a "transparent and constitutionally sound reform" intended to "curb arbitrary inclusion of govt and private land as Waqf property".

"We have maintained that in this Act, one of the key reforms introduced is the mandatory public notice and objection mechanism prior to listing any land as Waqf, thus ensuring procedural due process and protecting the rights of affected stakeholders," Sharma added.

The application said the legislation received unanimous support from the joint parliamentary committee constituted to examine the draft bill, after considering inputs from over 284 stakeholders, including Waqf Boards, state govts, and legal experts.

"We have maintained that the Act does not infringe on religious freedoms under Articles 25 and 26, nor does it violate equality before the law under Articles 14 and 15, as claimed in the petitions," he said.

Rajasthan govt requested permission to submit a detailed affidavit and provide assistance to the court with comparative legal perspectives and empirical data, stating its participation is essential for a comprehensive and balanced judgment.