The Congress-led United Democratic Front government in Kerala has indicated readiness to reconstitute the State Waqf Board according to the central Waqf Amendment Act 2025. This stance has created difficulties for its ally the Indian Union Muslim League. The league has filed a challenge against the law in the Supreme Court and now faces criticism from community groups and the opposition CPI(M). Both accuse the party of enabling the central government’s agenda through a Congress administration. Last week the Kerala High Court instructed the Waqf Board to avoid major decisions without approval. The state government had informed the court through its advocate general that reconstitution was required to meet Section 14 of the amended law. In an affidavit the board stated the government would follow the mandate of the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development Act 1995. The Supreme Court later removed part of the high court order that had placed daily operations under a joint secretary. The central amendments include rules for non-Muslim members on state boards. All non-BJP state governments opposed the changes and Kerala assembly passed a resolution against them. The state government backed reconstitution in petitions that included one from a BJP leader and a Christian organisation. The previous Left government had avoided nominating non-Muslim or Shia members. The Indian Union Muslim League insists the government only agreed to review compliance and has not accepted non-Muslim appointments. A CPI(M) leader said the affidavit endorsed the contested section and weakened the state’s legal challenge. Muslim organisations including Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama criticised the government position in court filings.
