In response to the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Indian National Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have declared their intention to mount a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.
The announcements came on Friday, April 4, 2025, shortly after the Bill received parliamentary approval following a marathon 13-hour debate.
Sharing the party’s decision on social media platform X, AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated, “The INC will very soon be challenging in the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.” Emphasizing the party’s commitment to defending democratic values, he added, “We are confident and will continue to resist all assaults of the Modi Govt on the principles, provisions, and practices that are contained in the Constitution of India.”
The controversial legislation, which passed in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, and later in the Rajya Sabha with 128 supporting and 95 opposing it, has sparked widespread political backlash. The Congress, along with other opposition parties, has slammed the Bill as “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional.”
Congress MP Imran Masood also reinforced the party’s firm stance, declaring, “We will legally challenge the Waqf Bill. After holding discussions with legal experts, we will knock on the doors of the Supreme Court. No other option is left. Hate against Muslims is being spread.”
Senior Congress leader and legal expert Abhishek Manu Singhvi denounced the government’s handling of the Bill, saying, “If the Bill is challenged, there is a big chance that the judiciary will declare it unconstitutional.” He also alleged that the ruling party had “misused the majority” in Parliament to push the legislation through.
Taking strong exception to the passage of the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin on Thursday said his party would file a case in the Supreme Court against the Bill.
The CM said, “The DMK will approach the Supreme Court on this Waqf Amendment Bill.”
“…This amendment is not just to be opposed but should be fully taken back — that’s our view. That’s why we have passed a resolution in the assembly,” Stalin said.
Opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took sharp aim at the Bill during the Upper House debate, accusing the government of using it as a divisive tool. “The government is trying to sow the seeds of conflict by suppressing Muslims through this Bill,” he warned. Urging the government to maintain national harmony, he said, “Do not disturb peace and harmony in the country.” He further argued that the Bill is aimed at stripping Muslims of their rights, claiming, “It seeks to destroy the community by usurping their properties.”
The Congress opposition to the Waqf Bill aligns with its broader legal efforts against several contentious legislative actions by the BJP-led government. Jairam Ramesh noted that the party’s petitions challenging the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, the amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, the revised Conduct of Election Rules (2024), and its intervention to safeguard the Places of Worship Act, 1991, are all currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, several opposition parties, including the AIMIM, Indian Union Muslim League, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, RJD, and Left parties, have also raised serious concerns, with some demanding the Bill’s outright withdrawal.
Defending the legislation, the government insisted that the amendment is intended to reform and strengthen the Waqf Boards to better serve the minority community. BJP national president and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J. P. Nadda rejected the criticism, asserting, “The Congress made Muslim women second-grade citizens during its rule.” He argued that the Bill would protect the rights of the poor and Muslim women.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju echoed Nadda’s stance, maintaining that Waqf Boards, as statutory institutions, should retain their secular character. Addressing concerns about the inclusion of non-Muslim members, he clarified that such representation would be limited, stating only four out of 22 members would be non-Muslims.
 Bill, 2024, the Indian National Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have declared their intention to mount a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.){kind=link}