Congress to challenge Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Supreme Court

The Congress party has announced that it will challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Supreme Court. This was confirmed by Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications and a Rajya Sabha member.

Parliament passed the controversial Waqf Bill after it was cleared by the Rajya Sabha early Friday morning. The Lok Sabha had approved it the previous day following a debate that lasted over 12 hours.

In a post on X, Ramesh wrote, “The INC's challenge of the CAA, 2019 is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC's challenge of the 2019 amendments to the RTI Act, 2005 is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC’s challenge to the validity of the amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules (2024) is being heard in the Supreme Court.”

In the Rajya Sabha, the Bill received 128 votes in favour and 95 against, after the opposition’s proposed amendments were rejected. In the Lok Sabha, 288 MPs voted in support of the Bill while 232 opposed it.

Opposition leaders in Parliament argued that the Waqf Amendment Bill goes against Constitutional values and raised concerns about the government’s motives.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Modi-led Union government for taking a “negative stand.”

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi warned that the Bill could be struck down by the judiciary. “They have misused their majority and forced the Bill through. If it is challenged, there is a strong possibility that the judiciary will declare it unconstitutional,” he said.

Singhvi also mentioned that the Congress party’s efforts to uphold the Places of Worship Act, 1991 are currently being heard in the Supreme Court.

Ramesh added, “The INC will very soon be challenging in the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. 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.”