The Kerala High Court has given the State government a six-week window to submit a report on filling vacancies in the Kerala State Waqf Board. The state is currently mapping community demographics to ensure fair representation.

  • The Kerala High Court has granted 6 weeks for the State to report on filling Waqf Board vacancies.
  • The process is being conducted under the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act, 2025.
  • Demographic mapping of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, and Aghakhani communities is underway.

The Kerala High Court has granted the State government a period of six weeks to provide an update regarding the steps being taken to fill existing vacancies within the Kerala State Waqf Board. This development comes amidst legal scrutiny over the board's composition and representation.

The State informed a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V.M. Syam Kumar that the process for reconstitution has officially commenced. This process is being guided by the provisions of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act, 2025.

Read Also:Missouri Court Rejects Petition Seeking Protections for Citizen-Initiated Laws

Demographic Determination for Representation

According to the State, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kerala State Waqf Board has been tasked with conducting a detailed determination of the various Muslim sub-groups. This includes Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Aghakhani, and other backward classes within the Muslim community.

The objective is to ensure that the board's composition accurately reflects the demographic reality of the communities it serves. The State has expressed its readiness to reconstitute the Board as soon as the numerical values and representation requirements for these specific communities are finalized.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the implementation of the UMEED Act represents a significant shift in how religious endowments are managed in the region. By focusing on detailed demographic data, the government aims to mitigate potential grievances regarding the under-representation of minority sects within the larger community.

The legal push for diversity within the Waqf Board reflects a broader movement toward institutional transparency and community inclusivity.

The matter involves several Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by various individuals, including BJP leader Shone George and representatives from the Assembly of Christian Trust Services (ACTS). These petitioners have challenged the non-inclusion of non-Muslim members, a requirement stipulated under the UMEED Act.

In earlier proceedings, the Court maintained that the reconstitution of the board falls entirely within the State's administrative domain and stated it would not interfere in the core decision-making process. However, the Bench did orally suggest that the State could nominate two non-Muslim members to comply with the statutory requirements of the governing law.

Did You Know?: The UMEED Act is designed to modernize the management and efficiency of Waqf properties across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the government conducting a community census?
To ensure that the Waqf Board includes fair representation from all Muslim sects, including Shia and Bohra communities.

2. Can the court appoint members to the board?
No, the court has held that the power to reconstitute the board rests solely with the State government.