Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 15 (ANI): AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said the Supreme Court's interim order on the Waqf Amendment Act will not protect Waqf properties from the law brought by the NDA government.

He warned that the Act could benefit encroachers and stop the development of Waqf land.

Speaking to the reporters, Owaisi said, 'It is an interim order. We hope that the SC gives a final decision soon on the entire act, and the hearing begins. This order will not protect the Waqf properties from the act made by the NDA government. Encroachers would be rewarded. Waqf properties will not be developed. We hope that the SC takes a final decision soon...'

Referring to the Supreme Court's suggestion that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Waqf should be a Muslim 'as far as possible,' Owaisi questioned whether a party that doesn't give tickets to Muslims would appoint a Muslim officer.

'For the appointment of the CO, the Supreme Court said that it should be a Muslim, 'as far as possible'. The government will claim that they did not find a capable Muslim... A party that does not give an MP ticket to a Muslim, and does not have a Muslim MP, will it choose a Muslim officer? How many Muslims are there in the Intelligence Bureau?... They will appoint non-Muslim members to the Waqf. Why? This is a violation of Article 26. How would Sikhs feel if a non-Sikh were made a member of the SGPC?' Owaisi said.

Owaisi said Article 300 of the Constitution allows anyone to give property to anyone, regardless of religion.

'The SC has not completely stayed the provision that a person has to be a practising Muslim of 5 years... There is no law preventing a person of any religion from donating to another religion... According to Article 300 of the Constitution, I can give my property to anyone I want. Then why is such a provision made for the followers of this (Islam) religion?... BJP should provide data on who donated property to the Waqf after converting... The provision of the collector's inquiry has been stayed. But the collector still has the power to conduct a survey,' Owaisi said.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to stay the entire Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, but put on hold certain provisions pending the final adjudication of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that some sections of the amended Act need some protection. (ANI)