Govt had told HC to reject petition on Waqf Board reconstitution, says CM Satheesan; P.Rajeeve contests claim

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of the United Democratic Front (UDF) clarified that the government had instructed the High Court to reject a petition regarding the Waqf Board reconstitution, as reported by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State Secretariat. The allegations come amidst growing resentment from within the minority community against the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for endorsing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Satheesan stated that the last Waqf Board had indicated to the Supreme Court that it refused to reject the petition despite the State government's demand. Additionally, Satheesan pointed out that the previous Waqf Board had not been reconstituted until February 2026 after the Union government introduced amendments, implying the new Waqf Board would have remained unchanged if amendments had been in force at the time of its formation.

In contrast, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader P. Rajeeve dismissed Satheesan's claims as misleading the public. Rajeeve noted that the State government had acknowledged in the High Court and the Supreme Court on July 14, 2026, through a special government pleader, its readiness to reconstitute the Waqf Board strictly in accordance with the mandate of section 14 of the UMEED Act, which includes the inclusion of two non-Muslims.

Rajeeve pointed out that Kerala and Tamil Nadu had left the two positions vacant until the Supreme Court hears the case related to the amendments, whereas the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh filled the positions with RSS-linked individuals. Similarly, Tamil Nadu has not altered its position, despite a change in government. Rajeeve criticized the UDF government's stance in Kerala, alleging it deceives the Muslim community, and rejected the notion that the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had deliberately delayed the Waqf Board reconstitution, citing past precedents.