MALAPPURAM: The Muslim League state committee has decided to back the state government’s move to reconstitute the Kerala Waqf Board, marking a significant political shift amid the ongoing legal battle over the board’s composition.
Senior party sources said the state committee held on Saturday concluded that the present Waqf Board, constituted during the previous LDF government’s tenure, does not conform to the eligibility criteria prescribed under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, commonly referred to as the UMEED Act.
A senior Muslim League leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TNIE that the party believes several members of the existing board, including chairman K S Hamza and members Umar Faizi Mukkam and A A Rahim, no longer satisfy the statutory qualifications required to continue on the board.
“As per the UMEED Act, members should be Muslim members of parliament or members of the legislative assembly, Mutawallis, Islamic scholars, professionals, or government officials. K S Hamza was an MLA when the board was constituted, and A A Rahim was a Rajya Sabha MP. However, neither currently holds a legislative position.
Likewise, Umar Faizi Mukkam was inducted as a Mutawalli despite not being associated with any Muslim Jamaat. In view of these legal deficiencies, the party has decided to support the government’s decision to reconstitute the present Waqf Board,” the source said.
The source added that the Muslim League would abide by any judicial verdict if the High Court ultimately quashes the existing board.
However, the party will continue to oppose the provision in the UMEED Act mandating the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board.
“The party has already approached the Supreme Court challenging the provision requiring two non-Muslim members on the board. There is no change in that stand,” the source said.
The issue has intensified the political confrontation over the Waqf Board, with the UDF government defending its decision to seek the board’s reconstitution while simultaneously resisting allegations that it supported the BJP’s challenge against the existing panel.
Responding to the controversy, Waqf Minister N Shamsudeen rejected allegations that the government had suffered a setback in the High Court. “The government had sought the dismissal of all four petitions before the High Court. Everyone is aware of that. Attempts are now being made to create confusion. The previous government constituted the Waqf Board without adhering to the prescribed norms, and this government was taking steps to rectify those irregularities,” he said.
