The controversy over the appointment of two non-Muslim members to the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board continues to escalate. In the latest development, Bhopal Nikah Qazi Mohammad Maaz Khan Nomani Nadvi resigned in protest, saying he could not accept the inclusion of non-Muslims in what he described as a religious institution. Along with stepping down as Nikah Qazi, Nadvi also resigned as General Secretary of the Deeni Taleemi Board, Jamiat Ulema Madhya Pradesh. He sent one resignation letter to City Qazi Maulana Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi and another to Mufti Mohammad Abdul Kalam Qasmi, president of the Deeni Taleemi Board, stating that the appointments to the Waqf Board and the support extended to them were the reasons behind his decision. In his resignation, Nadvi wrote that he had discharged all responsibilities entrusted to him with honesty and dedication but felt it was no longer possible to continue in his positions under the current circumstances. ‘What is the role of non-Muslims in a religious institution?’ Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Nadvi said the Waqf Board is a religious and Islamic institution, and he does not accept the inclusion of non-Muslim members. “What role do our fellow countrymen have in a religious institution? At the very least, responsible people should have said this decision was not appropriate,” he said. He added that his objection was not limited to the appointments themselves. He said he was also hurt by the public welcome accorded to newly reappointed Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman Dr. Sanwar Patel in Bhopal, an event attended by the City Qazi. According to Nadvi, those who were expected to oppose the decision instead chose to welcome the chairman. Mufti also criticises chairman’s welcome ceremony Mufti Mohammad Masroor also expressed displeasure over the public felicitation of Dr. Sanwar Patel. In a video message, he said such public celebrations by people holding responsible positions in religious institutions were painful for a section of the Muslim community. Masroor also questioned the functioning of the Waqf Board, alleging political interference in the renewal of mosque management committees and claiming recommendations were being sought during the process. He urged the Muslim community to remain vigilant and question decisions concerning religious institutions. Appointment of these two Hindu members to the Waqf Board Protests continue against appointment of Hindu members Earlier this week, members of the All India Muslim Tyohar Committee staged a protest at Budhwara Square in Bhopal against the inclusion of two Hindu members in the Waqf Board. Protesters demanded that the government withdraw the appointments, alleging that the decision had hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community. The Madhya Pradesh government recently reconstituted the Waqf Board by appointing Manoj Malpani of Indore and Animesh Bhargava of Raghogarh (Guna district) as members, while reappointing Dr. Sanwar Patel as chairman. The government has stated that Madhya Pradesh is the first state to constitute a Waqf Board under the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and that the new board comprises 10 members. Why Muslim organisations are opposing the decision Shamshul Hasan, patron of the All India Muslim Tyohar Committee, said the Waqf Board is a religious and social institution of the Muslim community, where properties are dedicated for religious purposes. He argued that non-Muslims should not be part of its management and questioned why such appointments were necessary when the Muslim community had never demanded representation in the management of Hindu religious institutions such as Ayodhya, Somnath or Mathura. Hasan also alleged that the state government hurriedly constituted the new board immediately after the implementation of the amended law. He said qualified Muslim professionals, including retired IAS and IPS officers, doctors, engineers and other experts, should have been appointed instead. Congress MLA plans to move Supreme Court Congress MLA Arif Masood announced that he would approach the Supreme Court over the inclusion of Hindu members in the Waqf Board. At a press conference, he said the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 is already under consideration before the Supreme Court and questioned the urgency behind the appointments. Masood also alleged that the state government had violated the law by appointing more non-Muslim members than permitted under the provisions. Government defends the appointments State Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang defended the move, saying Madhya Pradesh had become the first state to implement the Waqf law under the new legal framework. Congratulating Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Board Chairman Dr. Sanwar Patel, Sarang said the law would have long-term positive outcomes. He argued that it was incorrect to view the Waqf Board solely as an institution managing mosques, saying its responsibilities extend to a much broader range of Waqf properties and affairs. Hindu organisations welcome decision The Shri Hindu Utsav Samiti and Sanskriti Bachao Manch welcomed the inclusion of two Hindu members on the Waqf Board. Committee president Chandrashekhar Tiwari said the appointments would bring greater transparency to the functioning of the Waqf Board. Supreme Court earlier raised questions on the amendment law During hearings on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the Supreme Court questioned the Central Government on the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards. The Bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, asked whether Muslims would similarly be allowed to participate in the management of Hindu religious trusts if non-Muslims could be appointed to Waqf Boards. The Court also sought clarification on several provisions of the amended law, including the concept of “Waqf by User,” under which properties used for religious or charitable purposes over a long period may be recognised as Waqf properties even in the absence of formal documentation. Post navigation Narottam Mishra buys nomination form for Datia bypoll:Rajendra Bharti says, ‘Congress can field any candidate beyond his family’
