Asaduddin Owaisi Moves Supreme Court to Block Waqf Bill, Citing Religious Freedom Concerns

Asaduddin Owaisi, the influential leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of India, challenging the Waqf Bill. The Bill, which seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, has sparked a legal and political storm, with Owaisi arguing that it violates the religious freedom guaranteed to Muslims under the Indian Constitution.

The Waqf Bill proposes sweeping changes to the governance of Waqf properties, including the establishment of a central authority to oversee the management of these assets. Proponents argue that these changes are necessary to combat corruption and ensure that Waqf properties are used for their intended purposes. However, critics, including Owaisi, contend that the centralization of control could lead to excessive government interference in the management of religious assets.

Owaisi’s petition challenges the constitutional validity of the Bill, asserting that it infringes upon the rights of Muslim communities to manage their religious properties without interference from the state. He argues that the Bill’s provisions threaten the autonomy of Muslim religious institutions and could lead to the politicization of Waqf assets.

The government has defended the Bill, claiming that it is necessary to improve transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties. The legal battle over the Waqf Bill is expected to have wide-ranging implications for the future of religious governance in India and the balance of power between the state and religious communities.