Congress announces Supreme Court challenge to MP Waqf Board changes
The Indian National Congress has declared it will challenge the Madhya Pradesh government's decision to reorganise the state Waqf Board by inducting Hindu members, taking the matter to the Supreme Court. The party argues that the move violates the secular character of the board and undermines the Muslim community's control over religious endowments.
Details of the reorganisation
The Madhya Pradesh government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), issued an order last week reconstituting the MP Waqf Board. The new board now includes five Hindu members among its 11 total members, a significant departure from the previous composition that was entirely Muslim. The board is responsible for managing waqf properties—religious endowments under Islamic law—across the state.
According to the state government notification, the reorganisation aims to bring transparency and efficiency to the board's functioning. The new members include experts in law, finance, and administration, none of whom are required to be Muslim. The move has sparked political controversy, with Congress accusing the BJP of interfering in religious affairs.
Congress's legal strategy
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala stated, "This is a direct attack on the secular fabric of our Constitution. The Waqf Board is a religious institution meant to be managed by the Muslim community. We will file a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to quash this illegal order." The party plans to argue that the reorganisation violates the Waqf Act, 1995, which mandates that the board consist predominantly of Muslims.
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh added, "The BJP is systematically targeting minority institutions. This is part of their agenda to dilute minority rights. We will fight this in the highest court of the land."
BJP defends the decision
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Tiwari defended the move, saying, "The reorganisation is purely administrative. The Waqf Board has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement for decades. Including non-Muslim experts will ensure better governance and accountability. There is no religious agenda."
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated, "Our government is committed to transparent management of all public institutions. The Waqf Board's previous composition led to irregularities. This reform will benefit all stakeholders, including the Muslim community."
Impact and reactions
The reorganisation has drawn mixed reactions. Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, have condemned the move. AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Khalid Rashid said, "This is an encroachment on religious freedom. The Waqf Board is a religious body, and its composition should reflect the community it serves."
However, some Muslim leaders in the state have supported the change, citing improved efficiency. A local Muslim cleric, Maulana Mohammad Ismail, said, "If the board works better with diverse members, we have no objection. The focus should be on proper utilisation of waqf properties for community welfare."
The matter is expected to be heard in the Supreme Court within the next few weeks. Legal experts note that the court will examine whether the reorganisation violates Section 14 of the Waqf Act, which states that the board should consist of a chairperson, one member from each of the state's administrative divisions, and other members, all of whom must be Muslims. The state government's order may be challenged on this ground.
