The petition was filed by A Raja, the DMK Deputy General Secretary and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), who was also a part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill. The legal challenge was prepared and settled by Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson, reported LiveLaw.
DMK flags Constitutional concernsÂ
The DMK has submitted that the newly amended law adversely affects the rights of approximately 50 lakh Muslims in Tamil Nadu and nearly 20 crore Muslims nationwide.
According to the petition, the Amendment Act violates constitutional guarantees, including the right to equality and freedom of religion.
The party also contended that the legislation was passed without adequately addressing the concerns raised by its members in the JPC and during parliamentary discussions.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly had previously passed a resolution on March 27, urging the Union Government to withdraw the controversial bill, highlighted the state’s official disapproval.
Growing legal oppositionÂ
The Supreme Court has already received multiple petitions challenging the Waqf Act, which obtained President Murmu’s assent on Saturday, April 5.
On Monday, April 7, several of these matters were mentioned before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, who stated that he would consider the request for urgent listing, as per LiveLaw.
Among those challenging the law are All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MP Md. Jawed, Delhi AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani.
Other petitioners include Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema, the Indian Union Muslim League, and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights.
The DMK’s move is part of a broader wave of resistance from various political and religious groups who believe the amendment undermines the autonomy and rights of Waqf institutions and the Muslim community in general.
