Continuing submissions regarding the Waqf Act are being made in the Supreme Court, with Noida resident Parul Khera recently filing a new petition. Significantly, the petition argues for reinforcing and tightening the Waqf Act rather than its nullification.
This plea by Parul Khera states that both the 1995 Waqf Act and the 2025 amendment fall short in providing clear resolutions to prevent non-Muslim properties from being declared as Waqf land or state property.
Request for Strengthening the Waqf Act
The petition contends that, under sections 54 and 55, the Waqf Board possesses special rights to remove encroachments. Moreover, section 89 requires a two-month notice before initiating any litigation, rights that other religious bodies such as trusts, monasteries, temples, and akharas lack.
The petition demands that supplementary provisions be incorporated into the Waqf Act to safeguard non-Muslim properties and ensure equal rights across all religious entities.
Supreme Court Hearing on Petitions Scheduled for April 16
Parul Khera’s lawyer, Vishnu Shankar Jain, stated that on Monday, a request for an expedited hearing will be made before the Chief Justice’s bench. Efforts will be undertaken to ensure this petition is included in Wednesday’s session dedicated to the Waqf Act.
The turmoil surrounding the Waqf Act continues to grow nationwide, with widespread protests from Delhi to Kolkata and Patna to Bhopal. While the opposition targets the government, numerous Muslim organizations have launched campaigns against it.
