MP becomes 1st state to reconstitute waqf board with two non-Muslims
Madhya Pradesh has become the first Indian state to reconstitute its Wakf Board under the amended 2025 Wakf Act. The new 10-member board includes two non-Muslim members, marking a significant shift in the administrative composition of the body.
Why it matters
This move represents a major legislative and social change in how religious endowment boards are governed in India, potentially setting a precedent for other states.
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to reconstitute its Wakf Board in accordance with the amended Wakf Act, 2025. A notification regarding the reconstitution has been published in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette, and Sanwar Patel has been appointed chairman following an order issued by the chief minister, an official spokesperson said.The newly constituted board has 10 members, including two Hindu members Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava.Exercising powers under Section 13(1) of the Wakf Act, 1995 (as amended in 2025), the state government has constituted the board in line with provisions under Section 14 of the Act.The members of the new Wakf Board include Najma Heptulla (New Delhi), Atif Aqueel (Bhopal), Faizan Khan (Ujjain), Fatema Choudhary (Indore), Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, Manoj Malpani (Indore), Animesh Bhargava (Raghogarh, Guna), along with the Commissioner, Backwards Classes and Minority Welfare Department, who will serve as an ex-officio member.Board includes members from Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain & others The members of the new Wakf Board include Najma Heptulla (New Delhi), Atif Aqueel (Bhopal), Faizan Khan (Ujjain), Fatema Choudhary (Indore), Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, Manoj Malpani (Indore), Animesh Bhargava (Raghogarh, Guna), along with the Commissioner, Backwards Classes and Minority Welfare Department, who will serve as an ex-officio member.Najma Heptulla was appointed under the elected category through a notification issued on April 19, 2023, under Section 14 of the Wakf Act, 1995 (as amended in 2013). As her tenure is valid until April 18, 2028, her name has been retained in the new notification for the remaining period, the spokesperson said. TNNYou Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhopal | Silver Rate in Bhopal | Bank Holidays in Bhopal | Public Holidays in Bhopal | Petrol Price in Bhopal | Diesel Price in Bhopal | CNG Price in Bhopal | LPG Price in BhopalStay updated with the latest Bhopal news. Download the TOI App.
The article reports on a government notification and administrative changes without using loaded language or taking a stance on the policy's merits.
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