Rohtak (Haryana) [India], April 18 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday criticised the previous Congress-led UPA government for introducing the original Waqf bill in haste for 'vote bank politics' during 2013-2014 and claimed that it lacked provisions that truly served the interests of Muslims.

Saini alleged that the Congress brought the bill for vote bank politics, accused the party of engaging in 'shoddy politics,' and did not acknowledge the improvements in the amended legislation.

Reacting to the Supreme Court's recent observations on the Waqf Amendment Act, Haryana Chief Minister Saini defended the legislation, stating that the amended Act is designed to benefit the entire Muslim community.

Speaking to the media, Nayab Saini said, 'The Waqf Amendment Act provides benefits to the whole Muslim community. The Congress party, in a hurry, brought the bill to the Lok Sabha in 2013-2014, but it did not provide benefits to people from the Muslim community. However, now that the bill has been amended, it will provide benefits to the muslim community. But people who engage in 'shoddy politics' and who brought the bill for the sake of the vote bank now have a problem with the Waqf Amendment Act.'

Earlier on Thursday, the SC took note of the Solicitor General's assurance that no appointments to the Waqf Board or Council will be made until the next hearing. The court also stated that existing Waqf properties, including those registered by the user or declared through notification, will not be identified.

The Solicitor General said that the Waqf Act is a considered piece of legislation and that the Centre has received a large number of representations regarding the classification of land as Waqf. He added that staying the entire Act would be a severe step and sought one week to submit a reply.

The Supreme Court stated that it had earlier noted some aspects of the legislation as positive and reiterated that there can be no complete stay of the Act at this stage. The court also said that it does not want the current status to be altered while the matter is under its consideration.

The bench reiterated that the objective is to maintain the existing situation without changes while the matter remains under judicial review.

Several petitions were filed in the apex court challenging the Act, contending that it was discriminatory towards the Muslim community and violated their fundamental rights.

President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on April 5, following its passage by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. (ANI)