A newly amended Waqf Amendment Act passed in 2025 allows a quota for non‑Muslim, including Hindu, members on state Waqf Boards. The Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board now includes two Hindu representatives, a change that has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim leaders and prompted a Congress Member of Legislative Assembly to file a petition in the High Court.
The amendment, which was approved by the central government in May 2025, permits up to 20 % of board seats to be held by non‑Muslims. In Madhya Pradesh, the state Waqf Board now lists two Hindu members, a decision that was announced by the Board’s chairman in an interview with the Indian Express on 27 April 2026.
Muslim community leaders in the state have called the move “unconstitutional” and “anti‑faith.” A senior official of the All‑India Muslim League said the amendment “undermines the autonomy of Muslim religious trusts” and could lead to “political interference in religious affairs.” The state’s Muslim Waqf Association has called for a boycott of the Board’s proceedings until the amendment is repealed.
Congress MLA Mohan Yadav, who represents the Vidisha constituency, has vowed to move a writ petition in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. In a statement released to the press on 28 April 2026, Yadav said the Board’s new composition “violates the principles of secular governance and the rights of Muslim religious institutions.” He added that the petition would seek the annulment of the amendment as applied to the state’s Waqf Board and the restoration of its previous composition.
The Board’s chairman defended the change, saying that the amendment was “in line with the central government’s policy to promote inter‑faith cooperation” and that the Hindu members would “help bring transparency and accountability.” He also noted that the Board’s budget has increased by 15 % since 2024, enabling expanded welfare programmes for all beneficiaries.
The controversy has raised questions about the balance of power between the central government and state authorities in managing religious trusts. Legal experts note that the Waqf Amendment Act was passed without a constitutional amendment, and its applicability to state boards has been challenged in several courts. A recent ruling by the Supreme Court in 2024 clarified that state boards retain autonomy unless expressly altered by a constitutional amendment.
The High Court is expected to schedule a hearing on the petition in late May. Meanwhile, protests have been organized in several districts, with Muslim community groups demanding the removal of the Hindu members and the reinstatement of the Board’s former composition.
Analysis:
The inclusion of Hindu members on the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board reflects a broader trend of state‑level interventions in religious trusts following the central government’s 2025 amendment. While the amendment was framed as a move toward inclusivity, critics argue it dilutes the autonomy of Muslim‑run institutions and could be leveraged for political gain. The forthcoming High Court hearing will test the constitutional limits of the amendment and the extent to which state boards can be reshaped without a constitutional change.
Sources
Indian Express, “Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board to have Hindu members, Congress MLA vows to move court,” 27 April 2026. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-waqf-board-hindu-members-waqf-amendment-act-2025-mohan-yadav-10775390/
Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source
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