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The most important reform was the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was enacted on 5' state. This reform aims at the empowerment of waqf management by transparency, true, inclusive, and accountable in the administration of waqf properties. .

1. Inclusivity in Governance:

The Act thereby broadened the composition of the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards to include non-Muslim members. At least two non-Muslim members shall be preferred for these bodies thus broadening representation within waqf administration. .

2. Gender Representation:

The Act requires at least two Muslim women in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards to encourage gender equality. It ensures that women's views also get representation in the affairs of waqf government. .

3. Streamlining Property Management:

This also sets into motion the replacement of the role of the Survey Commissioner with that of the Collector or officer of no lower rank than a Deputy Collector for surveying waqf properties while setting up a single window facility for registration and management of waqf assets to make such activities efficient and transparent.

4. Appeal Mechanism:

Thus, the new Act lays down the process through which an appeal before the High Court can be made within 90 days against decisions of the Waqf tribunal. Thus there is now a legal recourse open to aggrieved parties. .

READ MORE:A Comprehensive Overview of Waqf Amendment Bill 2025.

Controversies and Criticism of the Act:

The Act has been launched in opposition to various fronts:

Religious Autonomy Concerns

Critics are of the view that the inclusion of non-Muslim members into mimbar organizations would violate the right of the Muslim community to manage their own endowment property in free exercise under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution.

Legal Challenges

Prominent political leaders and organizations like Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi have already filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of this Act.

Public Protests

Protests erupted in many parts of the country in protest of the Act, with at least some instances reported in West Bengal's Murshidabad and Tripura's Unakoti districts.

Conclusion:

It makes a notable shift in handling such properties within India: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, introduced important reforms in management and inclusiveness-that at some points draw a thin line against and within it regarding religious autonomy and constitutional rights. Future legal challenges and public discourse would largely chart the course for how well it will be implemented in time and what the scope of its impact would be.

As of April 17, 2025, the Supreme Court of India is presently hearing more than 100 petitions against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, for challanging the constitutional validity of the same. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, is scheduled to continue the hearing on the matter today, 2 PM.

Important Developments:

Interim Relief Denied: The Supreme Court has not granted any stay on the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act at this stage. Acknowledging that there were fairly helpful provisions within the Act, the bench stated that some provisions-required further clarification, such as the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and "waqf by user" concept.

Contemplated Interim Orders: The Court is looking at a three point interim order which includes an order stipulating that properties declared waqf either through deed or through long standing use ("waqf by user") will not be de-notified during the pendency of cases.

Representation in Waqf Boards:The bench questioned the rationale allowing non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and Central Waqf Council as to why Muslims would not be similarly admitted as a part of Hindu religious trusts. The Court has specified that, with the exception of ex-officio members, each of these bodies will have to include only Muslims.

Objections to Waqf by User: Wherein petitioners have stated that waqf by user will recognize properties as waqf, without a proper deed, from long usage only, up henceforth invite disputes and trespass almost into properties having no clear waqf deed.

History Of The Matter:

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, is intended to reform the waqf property management framework in India. It includes provisions for non-Muslim members on boards of waqf properties, a centralized portal for waqf property registration, and formal recognition of waqf by user. These have been defended as measures to enhance transparency and efficiency by the government, but critics consider that the Act infringes on Muslim rights to manage religious endowments independently.

Current Proceedings:

The Supreme Court has yet to issue any interim orders but reiterated its intention to proceed with the hearing on the matter today. The Court has also taken cognizance of the incidents of violence being reported during the protest against the Act and expressed concern over the issue by urging all parties to maintain peace.