Waqf Is Not an Essential Religious Practice, Argues Centre in Supreme Court
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Centre Argues Waqf Is Charitable, Not an Essential Part of Islam During the ongoing constitutional challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , the Central Government on Wednesday submitted to the Supreme Court of India that the concept of Waqf —though rooted in Islamic tradition— does not constitute an essential religious practice under Islam . Appearing for the Union of India, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih , stating: “Waqf is an Islamic concept. But it is not an essential part of Islam. Waqf is nothing but charity in Islam, and charity exists in every religion.” Waqf Boards Discharge Secular, Not Religious, Functions The Solicitor General emphasized that Waqf Boards perform only secular functions such as: Property management Register maintenance Auditing of accounts He argued that the administration of religious property falls under secular regulatory power...