Muslims could be reduced to a minority in WAQF state boards, following the provisions of the WAQF law, 2025. The new law also leaves the joints at the mercy of state governments, which could explode panels with non -Muslims.
The new law insists that Muttawalli, a scholar of Islamic theology and two or more chosen members of the municipalities or panchayats of the states will be chosen among the Muslim community to be appointed for the Board of 11 members, says section 12 (c) of the law, which comes as an amendment to section 14 of the WAQF Law of 1995.
He thought that state governments can appoint a president, a parliamentarian and a MLA, and a member of the State Bar Association for the Board, the new law does not insist that they need to be Muslims. The State Government Secretary, who deals with WAQF’s affairs, the member of the former Office and the Executive Director does not need to be Muslim. Two professionals with experience in business management, social work, finance, income, agriculture or development would also be appointed. The promulgation of 2025 could effectively reduce Muslim representation at the State Board of 11 members to only four, they said.
The law also empowers state governments to select people of any religion to be designated for key positions in the joints to influence their decisions, they said.
‘Help Munambam residents’
By the way, Kiren Rijiju, minority minority minority, had presented the other day in Kochi that changes in the WAQF Board help Munambam residents recover the income rights of their holdings.
Legal experts indicated that the new law taught a clear deviation of the 1995 WAQF Law, which was specified by virtue of section 14 that Muslim members between the MPS, MLA and the State’s lawyers and the state lawyers and the level officers of the joint secretary will be nominated for the Board.
In the event that there are no Muslims chosen for the State Bar Association, states could nominate any superior Muslim defender. Section 16 of the Law, also, especially a member of the Board of Species, including its president, will be disqualified to be designated or continuous as a member of the Board if it is not Muslim. Any person declared guilty of invasion in any WAQF property would be disqualified from being part of the Board.Therefore, a Muslim would stop becoming a member of the Board in the event that his conversion to any other religion, compiling the provisions of the two laws, the sources said.
‘Bulldozer Raj’
V. ABDURAHIMAN, Minister of State of WAQF, feared that the 2025 law would reduce Muslims to a micrinority in the boards and lead to a Bulldozer rajer in the WAQF properties. Disputes could be seen against any WAQF property anywhere and then demolish using the provisions of the law, he said.
Except for Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it is unlikely that the due representation of Muslims occur in the joints of most WAQF states under the new legilation. Waqf’s joints in some states could be populated with non -Muslims and the representation of the community will be reduced to the minimum legal numbers, Hey feared.
Published – April 17, 2025 08:17 pm isth