BHOPAL: For the first time in the country, two non-Muslim (Hindu) members have been inducted into a state Waqf Board. Following a decision by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, the Madhya Pradesh government constituted a new Waqf Board under the Waqf (Amendment) Act-2025, appointing Indore-based industrialist and social worker Manoj Malpani and Guna district’s Raghogarh resident Animesh Bhargava as members. Additionally, Sanwar Patel has been reappointed as the Chairman of the Board.
The Madhya Pradesh government claims to be the first state in the country to constitute a board in accordance with the amended Waqf law; this decision is also being viewed as the beginning of a new system for the administration of Waqf institutions.
It is noteworthy that previously, under the Waqf Act-1995, only members of the Muslim community could serve on the State Waqf Board. While the government did nominate certain members, being Muslim was a mandatory requirement for them as well. However, following the amendment to the law by the Central Government in 2025, a provision was implemented for the first time requiring the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members in every state Waqf Board. Madhya Pradesh has set a new precedent by being the first to implement this provision.
10-member board constituted: Najma Heptulla’s tenure retained
According to the state government’s gazette notification issued on July 4, 2026, a total of 10 members have been included in the board. Apart from Chairman Sanwar Patel, the members include former Union Minister Najma Heptulla, MLA Atif Aqueel, Faizan Khan, Sister Fatema Chaudhary, Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, Manoj Malpani, Animesh Bhargava and the Commissioner of the Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Department. Najma Heptulla’s tenure remains valid until April 2028 as per her earlier appointment; therefore, her name has been retained on the new board for the remainder of that term.
Dr Mohan Yadav’s state government states that the objective behind constituting the new board is to make the management of Waqf properties more transparent, accountable and effective. The government believes that broad-based representation will strengthen the decision-making process and accelerate the resolution of long-standing disputes.
It is worth noting that Madhya Pradesh has a long history of disputes regarding Waqf properties. The Waqf Board itself acknowledges that approximately 90 percent of the state’s properties are entangled in some form of legal, administrative, or encroachment-related dispute. Waqf lands face illegal encroachment in many areas. In numerous instances, rent from these properties is being collected by unauthorized individuals, while in some places, tenants have begun claiming ownership themselves. The Waqf Board also lays claim to several government buildings, matters which are currently being heard in court.
47 Government Properties in Bhopal Also Under Dispute
In the capital, Bhopal, the Waqf Board claims ownership of 47 government properties, including the Police Headquarters (PHQ), the Police Control Room, Navbahar Vegetable Market and Hamidia Road. Both the government and the Waqf Board are presenting their respective claims in court regarding these matters. While the final verdict rests with the judiciary, effectively representing the case regarding these properties will be a major responsibility for the new board.
Thousands of Properties, Hundreds of Lawsuits
Properties registered under the Waqf in the state include 5,535 graveyards, 4,302 mosques, 3,414 dargahs and mazars, 2,145 houses, 1,738 shops, 576 Eidgahs, 343 Imambaras, and 217 madrasas. There are 298 cases related to these properties pending in the High Court and the Supreme Court, while over 600 disputes are currently under consideration by the Waqf Tribunal. The new board faces a significant challenge on both legal and administrative fronts due to the vast number of pending cases.
A Vast Network Spanning from Ujjain to Bhopal
The highest number of Waqf properties in the state are registered in the districts of Ujjain, Vidisha, Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, and Shajapur-Agar. Waqf records list over 1,000 properties in Ujjain, 925 in Vidisha, approximately 800 in Bhopal, and more than 700 in Sehore. Experts suggest there is hardly a district in the state where disputes regarding Waqf properties are not ongoing. Consequently, the functioning of the new board will have an impact across the entire state.
What Will Change with the New Central Law?
The Central Government passed the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Parliament in April 2025. Following the President’s assent, the Act was implemented, and the associated rules were notified in July 2025. The new law aims to improve record-keeping for Waqf properties, facilitate digitization, ensure transparency in income and accountability and strengthen the mechanism for the speedy resolution of disputes. This law also includes a provision for the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards.
All Eyes on the New Board’s Performance
The appointment of two Hindu members is undoubtedly a historic and symbolic shift, but the board’s true success will be determined by its actual performance. The major challenges ahead include resolving disputes over properties, removing encroachments, increasing revenue, digitizing records and effectively disposing of cases pending in courts.
If the new board delivers significant results on these fronts, the Madhya Pradesh model could serve as an example for other states; however, if long-standing disputes remain unresolved, this change will amount to nothing more than a symbolic gesture. Therefore, the entire country will be watching Madhya Pradesh’s new Waqf Board and its operations closely.
