MALAPPURAM: Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the UDF government of weakening the legal battle against the amended Waqf law by taking a stand that could facilitate the appointment of non-Muslims to Waqf Boards.
Speaking at the CPM-organised seminar ‘Waqf Law and UDF Surrender’ in Malappuram, Pinarayi criticised the government’s decision to defer any decision on appointing non-Muslims to Waqf Boards until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the amended law. He said the government should not adopt positions that could weaken the case pending before the apex court.
He said the government had modified its earlier position after protests, but questioned whether the change indicated malicious intent. “The positions taken by the government on several issues earlier strengthen that suspicion.”
He questioned the rationale behind allowing members of other religions to participate in the administration of Muslim religious institutions. “All religious groups have their own institutions. Should people belonging to other religions interfere in the administration of such institutions?” he asked.
Pinarayi alleged that the Centre had adopted an “openly communal” approach by amending the law to enable the appointment of non-Muslims to Waqf Boards. If government-nominated members were also non-Muslims, the composition of the boards could be significantly altered, he said.
The CPM leader said the previous government had opposed the amendment, passed a resolution in the assembly and joined the proceedings in the SC. The UDF government, however, adopted a different position in a case filed by BJP leader Shone George, arguing that non-Muslims could be appointed to the board, he said.
“How can the government take such a stand? The minister in charge of the department, who is also an IUML representative, cannot claim ignorance of these facts,” Vijayan said.
He warned that the government’s position before the court could affect the case and urged it to ensure that the legal challenge was not weakened.
The participation of Samastha secretary Umar Faizi Mukkam drew attention. Speaking at the event, he said the government had argued in the High Court in support of Shone George’s stand on the Waqf issue.
He claimed the government had taken the position that two RSS members could be appointed, if required, even if it affected the religious character of the institution.
