{
  "id": 284862,
  "title": "Govt had told HC to reject petition on Waqf Board reconstitution, says CM Satheesan; P.Rajeeve contests claim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/govt-had-told-hc-to-reject-petition-on-waqf-board-reconstitution-says",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T23:04:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/govt-had-told-hc-to-reject-petition-on-waqf-board-reconstitution-says-cm-satheesan-prajeeve-contests-claim/article71280635.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nIn 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.",
  "summary": "The CM’s comments on Wednesday came in the wake of the [CPI(M)] State Secretariat on Tuesday flagging growing resentment against the IUML from within the minority community for “endorsing” the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025",
  "key_points": [
    "CM V.D. Satheesan claims government instructed High Court to reject Waqf Board petition.",
    "Opposition leader P.Rajeeve calls Satheesan's claim misleading.",
    "Rajeeve highlights BJP's filling of Waqf Board positions with RSS-linked individuals."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The spat between UDF and CPI(M) over Waqf Board reconstitution reveals a political tussle with implications for the minority community, amid allegations of deception and divergent approaches to the Centre's amendments.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}