Waqf Act: Bill Passage To SC Hearing — Story So Far In Pics

The Supreme Court is hearing the petitions against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2024, on Wednesday. A three-judge bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna is hearing the pleas against the Act.

Protesters stage a demonstration against the Waqf Act.

The Waqf Bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament. It became an Act after President Droupadi Murmu's assent. Subsequently, the Act sparked protests and dissent from many quarters. (Image Source: PTI)

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. He listed the provisions under the bill, to which the Opposition objected, alleging interference in Islamic religious affairs. (Image Source: PTI)

Deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi took the lead in the debate on the Waqf Bill. He challenged the constitutional validity of the Bill in a fiery speech. He said: "This bill aims to dilute the Constitution, defame minority communities, divide Indian society, and disenfranchise minorities." The Bill was eventually passed in the Lok Sabha with a 288:232 vote division. (Image Source: PTI)

A day later, the Rajya Sabha cleared the Bill as well after a 12-hour debate. The bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 votes against. (Image Source: PTI)

As soon as the Bill became an Act, celebrations broke out in many cities, such as Gwalior, Bhopal, Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, and many others. (Image Source: PTI)

However, the Act also sparked protests in many cities and even riots in Bengal as a section of the Muslim community saw the Bill as a threat to their rights. (Image Source: PTI)

The Supreme Court heard the petitions against Waqf (Amendment) Act on April 16. A three-judge bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna and comprising justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan heard the petitions. (Image Source: PTI)

Six BJP-ruled States — Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Assam — filed separate pleas highlighting the adverse impact of striking down the Waqf (Amendment) Act. (Image Source: PIB)

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi was among the petitioners who filed petitions against the Waqf Act. He said the act is, “Manifestly arbitrary, perpetuates discrimination on grounds of religion, violates the Shariat Act and strips the Muslim community of the right to manage its own religious institutions." (Image Source: PTI)

The Waqf (Amendment) Act seeks to regulate the waqf properties in India. It aims to enhance the previous act, improve the registration process and increase the role of technology in managing Waqf records. (Image Source: PTI)