MP Becomes First State To Appoint Hindu Members To Waqf Board, Congress Objects, Calls It 'Inappropriate'

Senior Congress leader P.C. Sharma also criticised the BJP, alleging that the ruling party had no issues apart from "Hindu-Muslim" and "India-Pakistan".

The Congress has opposed the reorganisation of the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board after the state government included two Hindu members in the body, saying it would challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.

The board was reconstituted on Sunday by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Officials said it is the first state-level Waqf Board in the country to appoint Hindu members.

Sanwar Patel has been reappointed as chairman of the 10-member board for a second consecutive term. Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava have been inducted as the two Hindu members.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Congress MLA Arif Masood said issues relating to the Waqf Act were already pending before the Supreme Court and that a final verdict was yet to be delivered.

He argued that the state government should not have reorganised the board until the apex court had given its decision.

“In such a situation, the Madhya Pradesh government’s reorganisation of the Waqf Board and inclusion of non-Muslim members is inappropriate and raises several legal questions. We will approach the Supreme Court and challenge the formation and appointment of the Waqf Board members," he said.

Former minister and senior Congress leader P.C. Sharma also criticised the BJP, alleging that the ruling party had no issues apart from “Hindu-Muslim" and “India-Pakistan". He claimed the move was intended to divert attention from the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and allegations against Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Responding to the criticism, Waqf Board chairman Sanwar Patel said the board had been reconstituted in strict accordance with legal provisions. He accused opposition parties of politicising the issue and provoking people.

State minister Vishwas Sarang welcomed the development, saying it was encouraging that Madhya Pradesh had become the first state in the country to implement the Waqf Act, 2025, and appoint two Hindu members to the board. He congratulated Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the Waqf Board chairman, saying the decision would have long-term positive consequences.

Sarang said the Waqf Board should not be viewed only through the lens of religion, adding that it was different from a mosque committee and had a much broader role.

BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said only those who had encroached on Waqf land should object to the decision. He said Waqf land belonged to the country and should be used for the welfare of poor people rather than any individual or religious leader. Sharma added that the Hindu members appointed to the board would also work for the welfare of the poor.

According to the state government notification, the 10-member board comprises Sanwar Patel, Najma Heptulla, Atif Aqeel, Faizan Khan, Fatema Chaudhary, Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava. The Commissioner of the Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Department is an ex-officio member.

The Waqf Board is a statutory body responsible for maintaining records of Waqf properties, monitoring their use and income, preventing illegal encroachments, and ensuring the properties are used for religious, educational and social welfare purposes.