‘Attempt to marginalise in every sphere’: Congress criticises inclusion of non-Muslim members in MP Waqf Board

Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) Congress leader Hussain Dalwai on Wednesday criticised the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the newly constituted Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board, calling the move “completely wrong” and questioning whether similar representation would be extended to Hindu religious trusts.

His remarks came after the Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh government appointed Manoj Malpani from Indore and Animesh Bhargava from Raghogarh in Guna as non-Muslim members of the reconstituted Waqf Board.

Sanwar Patel has been reappointed as the chairman of the 10-member board. Other members include Najma Heptulla, Atif Aqeel, Faizan Khan, Fatema Chaudhary, Shaista Sultan, and Shabana Khan. The state government has claimed that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to reconstitute its Waqf Board under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The amended law mandates the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members in State Waqf Boards, marking a significant departure from the earlier Waqf Act, 1995, under which members were drawn exclusively from the Muslim community.

Speaking to IANS, Dalwai said: “Are Muslims going to be included in Hindu religious trusts in the same way? Will Muslims be included in the Ram Temple Trust? This is completely wrong. Somewhere, there is an attempt to marginalise Muslims in every sphere. This will not benefit the country in any way.”

Commenting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Dalwai said he was not opposed to the idea but stressed the need for wider public awareness and discussion before its implementation.

“As far as the UCC is concerned, I am not opposing it. However, people should be informed about what the UCC actually is, and there should be a proper debate on it. Having more than one marriage is wrong, but is it only Muslims who do it? There are many such cases among Hindus as well. In fact, I heard today about a government officer who has three wives and is not a Muslim. Women should be given equal status, and if the UCC is being introduced to ensure that, then I would welcome it,” he said.

–IANS

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