SDPI alleges Kerala government is complicit in Waqf Board restrictions

The stance taken by the Kerala government’s counsel in a public interest litigation (PIL) that led the High Court to impose restrictions on the functioning of the State Waqf Board is a gross betrayal of minorities, SDPI State secretariat member A.K. Sallahuddin has alleged in a press conference on Saturday. The High Court’s order restricts the Waqf Board from making policy decisions and incurring capital expenditures. He pointed out that this will adversely affect the day-to-day operations and administration of the State Waqf Board.

“The Central government brought the Waqf Amendment Act as a continuation of measures targeting minorities, similar to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and the Triple Talaq law. However, despite the persisting opposition, the BJP used its majority to pass the Bill in both houses of Parliament. Following this, BJP State vice-president Shaun George filed a PIL against the reorganisation of the State Waqf Board. Shockingly, the State government’s counsel took a stance in court that favoured the petitioner’s arguments, which is entirely deceitful. The BJP is attempting to smuggle two Sangh Parivar nominees into the Waqf Board by utilising the provision to include two non-Muslim members,” he said.

He further alleged that that the UDF government’s moves, including appointments made since assuming power, reveals the preference given to Sangh Parivar sympathisers in various sectors.

He added that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in the State also has a clear role in this. “Their animosity towards the existing board stems from the fear of public exposure regarding certain League leaders who are accused of encroaching upon various Waqf properties,” he said. The SDPI leaders observed that the current development is a continuation of the State government yielding to the implementation of the Sangh Parivar agenda. SDPI Kollam district president Latheef Karunagappally was also present at the press conference.