National
Challenge to the Provisions of the 1995/2025 Waqf Act in Supreme Court via PIL
The petitioner, Parul Khera, asserts that the 1995 Waqf Act offers privileged status to Waqf properties, a benefit not extended to Trusts, Mutts, Akharas, and other societies. Furthermore, it grants expansive and unchecked authority to Waqf Boards to register any property as Waqf property.
The petitioner argues that granting such special rights and powers to Waqf properties and the associated boards contravenes the principles enshrined in Articles 14, 15, 25, 300-A, and 323-A of the Indian Constitution, undermining the nation’s secular framework.
The PIL highlights that Waqf Boards possess extraordinary powers in matters of property encroachment, as specified in Sections 54 and 55, and requires a two-month notice before initiating a lawsuit, a privilege not afforded to the Trustees, Managers, Shebaits, Mahants, or individuals overseeing Trusts and religious properties. The petitioner emphasizes that this differential treatment is a clear violation of Articles 14, 15(1), and 25 of the Constitution.
It is contended that the Waqf Act lacks provisions to protect Hindu and other non-Islamic religious communities from having their properties classified as Waqf. This omission leads to unjust discrimination against these communities, breaching Articles 14, 15, 25, 27, and 300-A.
The plea also asserts that over the past decade, Waqf Boards have illegally seized lands and declared them as Waqf properties. Notably, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs revealed in a response to the Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2022, that a total of 785,934 immovable properties have been registered on the Waqf portal.
Citing the Sachar Committee’s report, which indicated approximately 490,000 registered Waqf properties encompassing about 600,000 acres, the PIL claims that current estimates show the total area of Waqf properties across various states exceeding 1.2 million acres, nearly four times the size of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The PIL further contends that certain sections of the Waqf Act, 1995, do not align with the fundamental rights outlined in Articles 14, 25, 27, and 323-A, as they fail to provide adequate safeguards against the unjust designation of properties as Waqf.
It states, “The provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, are inconsistent with natural justice principles, lacking sufficient provisions to allow affected parties a chance to contest the classification of their properties as Waqf properties. This absence of checks facilitates arbitrary and unlawful exercises of authority in declaring any asset as Waqf.”
Regarding the 2025 Amendment Act, the petitioner argues that the discriminatory elements of the Waqf Act, 1995, remain unaltered, leading to ongoing injustices and unlawful property seizures by Waqf Boards targeting other communities.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, alongside Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, is scheduled to hear a series of petitions challenging the 2025 Amendment on April 16.
Notably, among those contesting the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, are Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Mohammad Jawed, who participated in the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Asaduddin Owaisi, Chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen; Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan; Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani; representatives from the Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulama; the Social Democratic Party of India; and the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR).
These petitioners challenge the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, citing violations of fundamental rights protected under Articles 14 (Right to equality before the law), 25 (freedom to practice religion), 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs), 29 (minority rights), and 300A (right to property), and call for an urgent review due to perceived unwarranted government interference in Waqf matters.
Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over his alleged links with a terror group.
The accused has been identified as Asafool Mallik. He is a native of Naopara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.
Police detained Mallik in the Jigani area after receiving information about his alleged suspicious online activities.
According to the police, Mallik had allegedly established contact with a person identified as Imran Haider through Facebook. Haider, who is from Afghanistan, is suspected to have links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Police said Mallik allegedly wanted to travel to Afghanistan and join the group. He also allegedly discussed retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army and possible attacks in India.
Mallik had reportedly applied for a visa to travel to Afghanistan. However, he later dropped the plan due to financial difficulties and family responsibilities, police said.
Mallik was living near APC Circle in Jigani. He had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in the Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025.
Police said they received information about his activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.
During questioning, Mallik allegedly said he was angry over what he believed were attacks on Muslims in Pakistan. He also reportedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Police further said Mallik was allegedly being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India.
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Police later examined Mallik’s mobile phone. They allegedly found chats, voice calls and audio conversations between Mallik and Haider.
The police are now examining the chats, recordings and other material recovered from the phone.
The investigation is underway to determine the extent of Mallik’s alleged links with the terror network.
Mangaluru: India is celebrating its Independence Day on August 15, 2026. Google has joined the celebrations with a special Doodle on its homepage.
The colourful Doodle reflects India’s rich culture and heritage. It features patterns inspired by traditional Indian textiles.
The artwork replaces the usual Google logo with bright colours and traditional motifs. It gives the familiar logo a distinct Indian look.
The Doodle also highlights India’s cultural diversity. Its detailed designs are inspired by India’s traditional art and textile heritage.
India became independent from British rule on August 15, 1947. The day is celebrated across the country with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, parades and other patriotic events.
Kite flying and cultural activities are also part of the Independence Day celebrations in many parts of the country.
India gained independence on August 15, 1947, after nearly two centuries of British rule.
The freedom struggle involved the sacrifices of millions of Indians. Several prominent leaders and freedom fighters played important roles in the movement.
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Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh are among the prominent figures associated with India’s freedom struggle.
As the nation celebrates Independence Day, Google’s special Doodle adds a colourful digital tribute to India’s history, culture and national spirit.
New Delhi: India celebrates Independence Day on August 15, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.
The ceremony highlighted 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram. The event also focused on the power of the youth, or Yuva Shakti.
Prime Minister Modi stressed the vision of building a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047. He called on the youth to play a key role In achieving this goal.
For the first time in the history of the Red Fort celebrations, Vande Mataram was officially rendered during the ceremony.
Prime Minister Modi appeared in a traditional tie-and-dye red turban. He paired it with a white kurta and a chocolate-brown jacket.
The celebrations followed the traditional state protocol. The national flag was hoisted at the Red Fort. A 21-gun salute was also given.
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A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented to the Prime Minister. He later addressed the nation from the Red Fort.
The 2026 Independence Day celebrations combined India’s historic legacy with a strong message for the future. The focus remained on youth power and the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.
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