The Kerala government reconstituted the State Waqf Board and appointed M C Mayin Haji as chairman. The decision comes amid a pending court challenge and continuing disputes over Waqf reforms.
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Thiruvananthapuram,Oct 17, 2026 11:00 IST
The Kerala government has reconstituted the State Waqf Board and appointed Indian Union Muslim League leader M C Mayin Haji as its chairman, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing officials.
The previous board, headed by K S Hamsa, was dissolved less than seven months after it was formed, even though more than four years of its tenure remained.
The government issued an order on Friday dissolving the board constituted in March by the previous Left Democratic Front government and appointing a new nine-member committee.
Officials of the Kerala State Waqf Board told PTI that Mayin Haji, the state vice-president of the IUML, had previously served as a member of the board.
The other members appointed to the board are IUML leader Kurukkoli Moideen, Musthafal Faizi, Siras D Capsi, Thodiyoor Muhammed Kunju Maulavi, Sajna Firoz, Jaseem Sabaha, Dr Abdul Majeed and Salahi Madina Begham.
The decision was taken while a petition filed by former chairman Hamsa challenging the board's reconstitution was pending before the Kerala High Court.
The reconstituted board does not have a representative from the A P Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, while representatives of the Mujahid faction have been included.
Officials told PTI that the government had not appointed two non-Muslim members under the amended Waqf law as a case on the matter was awaiting a final verdict from the Supreme Court.
The board has been reconstituted amid continuing protests against the Centre's amendments to the Waqf law and disputes over the administration and protection of Waqf properties.
The first meeting of the new board is expected to be held soon, officials said. The nine-member panel will be led by Mayin Haji after the government dissolved the Hamsa-led board formed in March.
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