- Court halts Waqf Amendment Act 2025 appointments, denotifications.
- Centre assures no changes to existing Waqf properties.
- ‘Untainted’ Bengal teachers allowed to continue teaching.
- West Bengal teacher recruitment deadline set for December 31, 2025.
- Next Waqf hearing scheduled for May 5, 2025.
On April 17, 2025, India’s Supreme Court delivered two pivotal rulings that significantly impact religious property governance and educational employment. Specifically, the court intervened in the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 and addressed long-standing irregularities in West Bengal teacher recruitment.
To begin with, the Supreme Court issued an interim order halting all appointments and denotifications under the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. This decision came amid rising concerns over the removal of the ‘waqf by user’ provision, which recognizes properties used for religious purposes over time—even in the absence of formal documentation.
Moreover, the Centre assured the court that it would not alter the status of existing Waqf properties until the next hearing on May 5, 2025. Legal experts interpret this pause as a vital measure to preserve the status quo while the court examines the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
At the same time, opposition parties have voiced strong objections, calling the amendments a threat to minority rights. Nevertheless, the court’s intervention is widely seen as an essential step toward protecting religious properties from arbitrary legislative changes under the new Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
Relief for ‘Untainted’ Teachers
In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court addressed the ongoing West Bengal teacher recruitment controversy. The court granted relief to West Bengal’s ‘untainted’ assistant teachers for classes 9 to 12. These teachers had been previously dismissed due to recruitment irregularities in 2016 but are now allowed to continue teaching until a new selection process concludes.
Furthermore, the court directed the West Bengal government to initiate a fresh teacher recruitment drive by May 31, 2025, and complete it by December 31, 2025. Failure to comply with this deadline may result in further judicial action. This directive marks a crucial turning point in resolving the West Bengal teacher recruitment crisis through transparent and fair procedures.
Importantly, this decision aims to balance the need for ethical hiring with the goal of maintaining uninterrupted education. Teacher unions have welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the potential chaos that mass dismissals could have caused in the school system.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s dual rulings highlight its vital role in safeguarding constitutional values while resolving administrative and social challenges. By pausing changes under the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 and ensuring fair resolution in the West Bengal teacher recruitment process, the court has demonstrated its commitment to justice and accountability. The final outcomes of these cases are expected to influence national policies and help restore public trust in governance and institutional integrity.