The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that, for the time being, non-Muslims will not be appointed to the Central Waqf Council or State Waqf Boards. This statement was made during a hearing on April 16, 2025, addressing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Viswanathan, also ordered that properties declared as waqf, including those under the “waqf by user” category, will not be de-notified until the next hearing. The court clarified that ex-officio members of the Waqf Boards and Council can be appointed regardless of their faith, but other members must be Muslims. The Central Government has been directed to file its response within seven days, with the next hearing scheduled for April 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. The Supreme Court expressed deep concern over the violence in West Bengal following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, describing it as “very disturbing.” The court further stated that no new appointments to the Waqf Council or Boards will be made until further orders.
Additional Context:
Several petitions have claimed that certain provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, violate constitutional principles.
The Supreme Court’s interim orders aim to maintain the status quo on waqf property notifications and appointments to prevent further disputes.
The violence in West Bengal referenced by the court pertains to protests and clashes reported after the Act’s passage, which have raised concerns about communal tensions.
