Kozhikode (Keralam), Oct 18 The Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar faction of the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama on Sunday strongly criticised the state government over the reconstitution of the Waqf Board, alleging that the Sunni community has been denied due representation.
However, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) defended the reconstitution, saying that excluded factions may receive representation in other bodies.
‘Siraj’, the Malayalam daily and mouthpiece of the Sunni Muslim AP faction, on Sunday published an editorial titled “Waqf Board reconstitution is deceitful,” accusing the government of going back on its assurance to provide due representation to Samastha in the reconstitution of bodies such as the Waqf Board and the Hajj Committee.
The government on Friday dissolved the board headed by K S Hamsa, constituted by the previous LDF government in March this year, and appointed a new nine-member board despite more than four years remaining in its tenure.
The new board is headed by IUML leader M C Mayin Haji.
The other members are IUML leader and MLA Kurukkoli Moideen, Musthafa Faizi, Siras D Capsi, Thodiyoor Muhammed Kunju Maulavi, Sajna Firoz, Jaseem Sabaha, Dr Abdul Majeed Swalahi and C Madina Begham.
Criticism from the A P faction has mounted since the announcement of the reconstitution, as its leaders were not included.
The editorial alleged that the decision had hurt and insulted the Sunni community, which it described as the majority among Muslims in Keralam.
It accused the government of ignoring the contribution of the Samastha factions to the establishment and management of thousands of mosques, madrassas and religious institutions across the state.
It also questioned the inclusion of representatives of Mujahid and Jamaat-e-Islami organisations in the board while keeping both Samastha factions out, alleging that the decision failed to reflect the interests of the majority of the Sunni community.
The editorial further alleged that several Waqf properties were dedicated centuries ago for specific religious and charitable purposes and claimed that the inclusion of representatives of reformist organisations in the board was inappropriate.
“The Waqf Board is not a mechanism to protect the interests of any political party,” the editorial said, arguing that its primary responsibilities were to protect Waqf properties, prevent encroachments and misuse, and ensure that their income was utilised for the purposes for which the properties were dedicated.
It also criticised the IUML for allegedly neglecting certain sections of the Muslim community instead of ensuring fair representation in the Waqf Board.
The editorial said Sunni organisations, including the Kerala Muslim Jamaath and the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), had come out against the alleged injustice and announced plans to pursue legal remedies and public protests.
As part of the agitation, protests would be held at all district headquarters on October 22, it said, warning of stronger protests if the government failed to take corrective measures.
Meanwhile, IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal on Sunday defended the reconstitution of the Waqf Board.
Thangal told reporters that all Muslim organisations have been given representation in the reconstituted board and those left out could be considered for membership in other bodies to be constituted by the government.
“Other bodies, including the Hajj Committee and the Madrasa Welfare Fund Board, are yet to be constituted. Those who have not been included in the Waqf Board will be considered for representation in those bodies,” he told reporters.
Responding to allegations that Sunni organisations managing a large number of Waqf properties have been denied adequate representation, Thangal said the Waqf Board would address the concerns of all institutions without discrimination.
“The Waqf Board will not function in a partisan manner. It will deal with the problems of all institutions. Nobody will bring sectarian considerations into its functioning,” he said.
Asked about the Sunni AP faction’s complaint that even Jamaat-e-Islami had been given representation while its own representatives were excluded, Thangal said the chairman of the Hajj Committee is a representative of the AP Sunni faction and that the government has not changed that arrangement.
He also maintained that the reconstituted Waqf Board included representatives associated with Samastha.
“There are two representatives from Samastha. One is the chairman himself, who is among the prominent people in Samastha. Musthafa Faizi is also from Samastha,” he said.
Regarding the reconstitution being challenged in court, Thangal said, “The matter is already before the court. Those who have grievances are free to approach the court, and let the court decide and take the matter forward,” he said.
(PTI News)
