Bhopal: The controversy over the appointment of two non-Muslim members to the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has intensified after Bhopal Nikah Qazi Mohammad Maaz Khan Nomani Nadvi resigned from his posts in protest.
Nadvi submitted his resignation on Wednesday from the post of Nikah Qazi and also stepped down as General Secretary of the Deeni Taleemi Board, Jamiyat Ulema Madhya Pradesh. In his resignation letters, addressed separately to the City Qazi and the president of the Deeni Taleemi Board, he said the recent appointments to the Waqf Board and the support extended to them made it impossible for him to continue in his responsibilities.
He said he had carried out his duties with honesty and commitment but could no longer remain in office under the present circumstances.
Speaking to reporters, Nadvi said the Waqf Board is a religious institution and objected to the appointment of non-Muslim members. He also expressed disappointment over the recent public welcome organised for the newly appointed Waqf Board Chairman, Dr Sanwar Patel, in the presence of senior religious leaders. According to him, those expected to oppose the appointments instead welcomed the new chairman.
The issue drew further attention after Mufti Mohammad Masroor released a video message criticising the welcome ceremony. He said such public support for decisions related to religious institutions had upset a section of the Muslim community. He also alleged political interference in the renewal of mosque committees and appealed to the community to closely examine decisions concerning religious bodies.
The controversy began after the Madhya Pradesh Government reconstituted the Waqf Board and appointed two non-Muslim members—Manoj Malpani of Indore and Animesh Bhargava of Raghogarh in Guna district. Dr Sanwar Patel was reappointed as the chairman of the board.
On Monday, members of the All India Muslim Tyohar Committee staged a protest at Budhwara Square in Bhopal, demanding that the government withdraw the appointments. Protesters said the decision had hurt the sentiments of a section of the Muslim community.
The committee’s patron, Shamshul Hasan, said Waqf is a religious and charitable institution established for the welfare of the Muslim community. He questioned the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the board’s management and alleged that the board had been constituted in haste after the implementation of the new Waqf law. He argued that experienced Muslim professionals, including retired civil servants, doctors and other experts, could have been appointed instead.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Arif Masood said he would challenge the appointments before the Supreme Court. He alleged that the matter related to the Waqf law is already under judicial consideration and questioned the timing of the board’s formation. Masood also claimed the state government had exceeded the permitted number of non-Muslim representatives on the board.
The state government has not issued any fresh response to the latest resignations and objections at the time of publication.
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