Andhra Govt Dissolves Waqf Board

The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has dissolved the state Waqf Board constituted during the previous YSR Congress regime. This decision, formalised in an order dated November 30, comes amid ongoing debates surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The dissolved Waqf Board comprised 11 members—three elected and eight nominated. Its functionality had been in question since March 2023, primarily due to legal challenges. Notably, on November 1, 2023, the Andhra Pradesh High Court stayed the election of the Board’s chairperson following a plea that contested the constitution process.

The government’s order highlighted the prolonged non-functioning of the Board and the pending writ petitions challenging the legality of its formation. It stated, “The Chief Executive Officer, A.P State Waqf Board, Vijayawada, brought to the Government’s attention the prolonged non-functioning of the Board and the pendency of writ petitions questioning the legality of GOMs No. 47 to resolve the litigations and prevent an administrative vacuum.” Consequently, the government withdrew the earlier order constituting the Board with immediate effect.

Minister of Minority Welfare N. Md Farooq affirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding Waqf properties and the welfare of minorities, stating, “The coalition government headed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is committed to the protection and management of Waqf properties and the welfare of minorities.” He added, “The government is taking steps in this direction.”

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This development coincides with the Central government’s introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha in August. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to enhance accountability and transparency in Waqf Boards’ operations and mandates the inclusion of women in these bodies. However, it has faced criticism from the Muslim community, who view it as a threat to the protection of Waqf properties. The Lok Sabha recently extended the tenure of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the bill until the last day of the Budget Session next year to allow for broader stakeholder consultation.