New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed its intention to maintain status quo on the three points of amended Waqf Law. The three Judge benches led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishawnathan will hear the matter again on Thursday at 2pm.

The Supreme Court, hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the amended law, had expressed concern about the violence sparked during protests. It also questioned if Muslims would be included in Hindu religious boards.

The Supreme Court Judges raised three points, indicating their intention to pass an interim order, putting some provisions of the amended law on hold. The three bench Judges said that whatever property has been declared as Waqf by the user, or declared by the court, will not be notified. Secondly, the Collector can continue the proceedings, but the provision will not be applicable. Third while ex-officio members can be appointed regardless of religion, others should be Muslims, the judges said.

Normally we don’t pass such interim orders, but this is an exception, said Justice Khanna, pointing out that the hearing can go on for six to eight months.  At this time, the Centre and the States objected to an interim order and sought more time.

Leaders of the opposition parties including the Congress, AAP, DMK, CPI and BJP ally JDU, TMC and YSRCP, TVC challenged the Waqf Amendment Law in the SC. Religious organisations and NGOs like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board have also filed their objections.