DMK objects to bid to distinguish Waqf, Hindu endowments

Political parties opposing the Waqf Amendment Act have called Centre's attempt to draw an "artificial" distinction between Waqf properties and Hindu endowments on the ground that Waqf is a broad concept encompassing non-religious charitable purposes, including healthcare and education, "unsustainable".

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI:

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian Union Muslim League, in separate responses filed on Sunday, told the Supreme Court that even state enactments governing Hindu endowments encompass charitable purposes including schools, orphanages and healthcare.

The Centre, in its affidavit filed in response to the petitions and applications challenging the validity of the 2025 Act, submitted that the law seeks to address only the secular aspects of Waqf management, to justify inclusion of non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards.

The DMK in its response, settled through senior advocate P Wilson, said, "The distinction sought to be drawn by the respondent between waqfs and Hindu endowments on the ground of charitable breadth is demonstrably artificial and unsustainable."