Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that refusal to implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, is unconstitutional and untenable. This follows some state governments, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and West Bengal, opposing or refusing to implement the Act.
Rijiju, who piloted the Act through Parliament, attributed the opposition to anger, emotions, and political motivations. He warned that those refusing implementation would face consequences, emphasizing the constitutional implications of defying a parliamentary act.
Land and law and order are state subjects, but parts of the Waqf Act are on the Concurrent List, requiring state government implementation. The central government is framing rules for the Act's implementation.
Rijiju clarified that if states fail to follow the Act, they will face legal consequences, as this violates the constitution. He predicted that Chief Ministers openly defying the act would eventually comply.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing legal challenges against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.