In a significant legal development, Kerala-based Hindu body Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust has approached the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The trust contends that the law undermines the financial and religious autonomy of the Muslim community, and could potentially threaten its very survival in India.
The organisation, founded in 2023 to promote the teachings of philosopher Sree Narayana Guru, has filed an intervention application in the ongoing batch of petitions against the amended Act. It cited Guru’s philosophy of interdependence and communal harmony to justify its stand.
“The Trust cannot remain a silent observer to the potentially devastating impact this legislation could have on the Muslim community and the broader fabric of social justice,” the application states.
The plea argues that the amended law effectively dismantles the traditional Waqf structure by replacing Islamic jurisprudence with state-imposed mechanisms. It further claims that the Act imposes an unconstitutional, state-controlled framework on the Muslim community’s charitable contributions.
Filed through Advocate Vaibhav Choudhary and settled by Advocate Dr. G Mohan Gopal, the petition asserts that the Act violates fundamental rights enshrined under Articles 21, 25, 26, and 29(1) of the Constitution. It warns that stripping the community of its financial base will cripple its ability to sustain religious practices.
The matter is scheduled for hearing at 2 PM today before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Viswanathan. The Court has prohibited the filing of fresh petitions and has permitted intervention applications in the ongoing proceedings.
