December 2, 2024 : The Andhra Pradesh government, under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, announced on Sunday the dissolution of the state’s Waqf Board, which was constituted during the YSR Congress Party's (YSRCP) tenure. The move is being framed as an effort to enhance governance and ensure better management of Waqf properties in the state.
In a statement, the Andhra Pradesh government cited several factors behind the decision, including concerns over the "non-functional" status of the Waqf Board and ongoing legal challenges. The dissolution also comes in the wake of a series of writ petitions questioning the legality of the order that allowed the YSRCP government to form the board.
"The decision to dissolve the Waqf Board was taken in the interest of maintaining good governance, protecting Waqf properties, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Board," an official spokesperson said.
Minister for Minority Welfare, N. Md. Farooq, emphasized that the Naidu administration was committed to the welfare of minorities and the protection of Waqf properties. "We are taking steps to safeguard these properties and ensure proper management," he told Telangana Today. Farooq added that the government would take appropriate steps to ensure that the Waqf Board operates in line with its mandate and objectives.
The Andhra Pradesh government’s move effectively revokes a controversial order from 2023, in which the YSR Congress regime had appointed three elected members and nominated seven others to an 11-member Waqf Board. The decision came after the Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf Board reported that the body had been “non-functional for an extended period.”
This development comes at a time when the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to introduce significant reforms to the management of Waqf properties, is being closely scrutinized. The Bill proposes sweeping changes, including the digitisation of Waqf records, stricter audits, enhanced transparency, and new legal measures to reclaim properties that are reportedly under illegal occupation. The parliamentary committee reviewing the Bill is actively seeking updated data from state governments regarding the status and ownership of Waqf properties, with a particular focus on properties that may have been encroached upon unlawfully.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has stirred considerable debate, with many raising concerns about its potential implications for religious institutions and minority rights. Critics, however, argue that the reforms are necessary to curb the mismanagement and encroachments that have plagued the Waqf system for years.
The dissolution of the Waqf Board in Andhra Pradesh is seen as part of a broader effort by the Naidu-led government to assert control over the state’s minority affairs and to set a new course for the management of religious and community properties in the region. The decision is expected to draw both support and criticism from various quarters as the political landscape in the state continues to evolve.