The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) seem to be in a quandary over the mandatory nomination of two non-Muslim members to the Kerala State Waqf Board. They are in a political dilemma ever since a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Kerala High Court by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state Vice President Shone George, challenging the non-inclusion of non-Muslims on the Board.
Under Section 41 of the central Waqf (Amendment) Act, the appointment of at least two non-Muslim members to State Waqf Boards is legally mandated. This rule aims to introduce secular oversight, functional diversity, and structural accountability into the management of public Waqf assets.
Through an order issued on February 4, 2026, the state government formed an 11-member Board but appointed only nine members—all of whom are Muslim. The remaining two seats were left vacant for later appointments.
Shone George, in his petition, argues that operating without non-Muslim representation directly violates the statute. He asserts that it strips the Board of legal jurisdiction, rendering all its current supervisory and administrative rulings null and void.
The High Court has sought the state government’s stance on the petition. This places immediate legal pressure on the political system to find a resolution, leaving very little room for strategic delays or political maneuvering.
The situation creates a complex double-edged sword for the IUML and its broader coalition, the UDF. Strongly supporting or smoothly facilitating the nomination of non-Muslims to manage Islamic religious and charitable properties risks significant blowback from their primary Muslim electorate and allied religious organizations.
Conversely, if the IUML and UDF aggressively oppose the statutory requirement, they risk being framed as religiously rigid. This would compromise their secular political platform and give political leverage to opponents like the BJP
Meanwhile, the Union government has issued a notice to the Kerala Waqf Board seeking an explanation for uploading the disputed Munambam land on the Umeed portal, the centralised digital registry of waqf properties. It has directed the board to respond within five days.
The notice follows complaints received by the Union government over the inclusion of around 404 acres of disputed land at Munambam in Ernakulam district on the portal. The land was reportedly entered into the registry last month using the Board’s special powers.