Kerala Waqf Board Reconstituted, Mayin Haji Named Chairman

The Kerala government has reconstituted the Kerala State Waqf Board and appointed Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader M C Mayin Haji as its new chairman, according to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), citing officials. The decision follows the dissolution of the previous board, headed by K S Hamsa, less than seven months after it was formed, despite more than four years remaining in its tenure.

The state government’s order, issued on Friday, establishes a new nine-member committee to oversee the administration of Waqf affairs in Kerala. The reconstitution comes while a petition challenging the government’s decision remains pending before the Kerala High Court and amid continuing legal and political disputes over amendments to the Waqf law.

The new board includes several IUML leaders and representatives associated with the Mujahid faction, while the A P Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar does not have a representative on the panel. The government has also deferred the appointment of two non-Muslim members under the amended Waqf law, citing a case awaiting a final verdict from the Supreme Court.

Kerala Government Appoints Mayin Haji as Waqf Board Chairman

M C Mayin Haji, the Kerala state vice-president of the Indian Union Muslim League, has been appointed chairman of the reconstituted Kerala State Waqf Board. He previously served as a member of the board, according to officials cited by PTI.

The appointment places a senior IUML leader at the head of the nine-member body responsible for overseeing Waqf-related administration in the state. Waqf institutions and properties play an important role in religious, charitable and community activities, making the board’s composition and functioning significant for the management of these assets.

The Kerala government issued an order on Friday dissolving the board constituted in March by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. The newly appointed committee replaces the body led by K S Hamsa, whose tenure was cut short by the government’s decision.

The dissolution is politically significant because the previous board had been in place for less than seven months and still had more than four years remaining in its term. The reconstitution changes the leadership and membership of the body responsible for Waqf administration in Kerala.

Officials have indicated that the first meeting of the new board is expected to take place soon. That meeting will provide an initial opportunity for the members to begin their work under the new leadership, although the immediate agenda and specific decisions expected from the meeting have not been detailed in the available report.

Who Are the Nine Members of the Reconstituted Kerala Waqf Board?

The newly constituted Kerala State Waqf Board consists of Mayin Haji as chairman and eight other members representing different individuals and groups involved in the state’s Muslim community and Waqf administration.

The members appointed to the new board are:

• M C Mayin Haji: Chairman and Kerala state vice-president of the Indian Union Muslim League.
• Kurukkoli Moideen: IUML leader and member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
• Musthafal Faizi: Appointed as a member of the reconstituted board.
• Siras D Capsi: Member of the new committee.
• Thodiyoor Muhammed Kunju Maulavi: Member of the new committee.
• Sajna Firoz: Member of the new committee.
• Jaseem Sabaha: Member of the new committee.
• Dr Abdul Majeed: Member of the new committee.
• Salahi Madina Begham: Member of the new committee.

The composition of the panel is significant because Waqf administration involves religious endowments, property management and the oversight of assets intended for charitable, educational and community purposes. The board’s membership can influence its administrative priorities and the way it approaches disputes involving Waqf properties.

The reconstitution also changes the political and organisational representation within the board. The new panel includes IUML leaders and representatives associated with the Mujahid faction, while the A P Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar has no representative, according to the information provided by officials.

Why Was the Previous Waqf Board Dissolved?

The previous board, chaired by K S Hamsa, was constituted in March by the Left Democratic Front government. The current government order dissolves that board and replaces it with a new nine-member committee, even though the earlier panel had been in office for less than seven months.

The decision has drawn attention because more than four years of the previous board’s tenure reportedly remained. Replacing a statutory board well before the end of its term raises questions about administrative continuity, the reasons for the change and the legal position of the outgoing members.

However, the change in leadership should be considered alongside the legal disputes surrounding the board’s composition and the implementation of amendments to the Waqf law. The appointment of a new chairman does not, by itself, resolve those wider questions.

The reconstitution also comes against a background of disagreement over the statutory requirements governing board membership. The amended law has prompted legal challenges and debate over the inclusion of non-Muslim members, as well as other questions concerning the board’s constitution and functioning.

These issues have complicated the board’s institutional position. In such circumstances, the government’s decision to form a new panel represents a change in administration, but its longer-term implications will depend on the outcome of pending legal proceedings and the board’s ability to operate within the applicable legal framework.

Former Chairman K S Hamsa’s Petition Remains Pending

The Kerala government’s decision was taken while a petition filed by former chairman K S Hamsa challenging the board’s reconstitution was pending before the Kerala High Court.

The pending case adds a legal dimension to the change in leadership. Hamsa’s challenge means the reconstitution is subject to judicial scrutiny, although the available information does not establish what final decision the High Court will reach or whether the court will alter the government’s arrangements.

The timing is important because a dispute over the board’s constitution can affect questions of authority, administrative continuity and the implementation of decisions taken by the body. Any court ruling could have implications for how the board operates and how the state government proceeds with its appointments.

The government has proceeded with the formation of the new committee while the legal challenge remains unresolved. The eventual outcome will depend on the arguments presented by the parties and the court’s interpretation of the relevant legal provisions.

Until the dispute is resolved, it is important to distinguish the government’s administrative decision from the final legal determination of the issues raised in the petition. The appointment of Mayin Haji establishes the new leadership under the government order, but it does not automatically settle the objections being considered by the court.

Why Two Non-Muslim Members Have Not Been Appointed

One of the most significant questions surrounding the new board is the absence of two non-Muslim members. Officials told PTI that the government had not made these appointments because a related case concerning the amended Waqf law was awaiting a final verdict from the Supreme Court.

The issue is connected to the 2025 amendments to the Waqf law, which introduced changes to the legal framework governing Waqf institutions and the composition of boards. The requirement concerning non-Muslim representation has become a point of contention in Kerala, where the constitution and functioning of the state board have been challenged in court.

The dispute is not limited to the political preferences of individual members. It concerns how statutory requirements should be implemented while legal challenges are pending and what steps a state government can take to ensure that a board is constituted and functions in accordance with the law.

Earlier proceedings concerning the Kerala State Waqf Board have also addressed the absence of mandated members and restrictions on the board’s ability to take certain decisions. Those proceedings illustrate the legal complications surrounding the board’s composition, although the precise effect of any judicial direction must be assessed in light of the relevant orders and subsequent developments.

The Kerala government’s decision to defer the two appointments reflects the position described by officials in the latest report. It should not be interpreted as a final determination that the appointments are unnecessary or prohibited. The matter remains tied to the legal proceedings and the applicable statutory provisions.

The eventual resolution could influence the board’s final composition and its administrative functioning. Until then, the question of non-Muslim representation remains one of the principal legal issues surrounding the reconstituted panel.

Waqf Law Amendments Continue to Trigger Disputes

The reconstitution of the Kerala State Waqf Board comes amid continuing protests and legal disputes over amendments to the central Waqf law. The debate involves the administration of Waqf institutions, the protection of properties dedicated for religious or charitable purposes and the authority of bodies responsible for supervising those assets.

Waqf properties are assets dedicated under Islamic law for purposes that can include religious activities, education, welfare and charity. Their administration can involve land, buildings, income-generating properties and institutions that serve local communities. The state Waqf board has an important role in overseeing these matters under the applicable legal framework.

Changes to the law governing Waqf institutions can therefore have consequences for property administration, institutional oversight and the relationship between government authorities and community organisations. Disagreements over these changes have generated political debate and litigation in several parts of India.

In Kerala, the controversy has intersected with questions about the board’s composition and its ability to function while legal proceedings are underway. The absence of the two non-Muslim members, the challenge filed by Hamsa and the decision to appoint a new committee have all become part of the wider debate over how the amended framework should be implemented.

Different stakeholders may have competing views on representation, oversight and the protection of Waqf assets. The legal position, however, must ultimately be determined by the relevant legislation and judicial decisions rather than political arguments alone.

The new board will consequently have to address its administrative responsibilities while operating within a legal environment shaped by ongoing litigation and public debate. Its initial decisions may also be closely watched because they will indicate how the new leadership intends to approach the challenges facing Waqf administration in the state.

What Will the New Kerala Waqf Board Do Next?

The first meeting of the reconstituted board is expected to take place soon, according to officials. The meeting will bring the newly appointed members together under Mayin Haji’s leadership and provide an opportunity to begin the committee’s work.

The immediate priorities will depend on the agenda set by the board and the administrative matters requiring attention. The available information does not specify which issues will be taken up first, so any detailed prediction about particular decisions would be premature.

Nevertheless, the board’s composition and the ongoing court cases are likely to remain important considerations as it begins functioning. Members will need to work within the applicable statutory framework while dealing with the practical responsibilities associated with Waqf administration and property oversight.

The outcome of the pending case before the Kerala High Court could also shape the legal position surrounding the reconstitution. Separately, developments in the Supreme Court proceedings concerning the amended Waqf law could affect the question of non-Muslim representation and the implementation of the relevant provisions.

These legal issues matter because the board’s work extends beyond political appointments. Its ability to oversee Waqf properties, address administrative disputes and carry out its statutory responsibilities depends on a clear legal basis for its composition and decisions.

Conclusion: Mayin Haji Takes Charge as Kerala Waqf Board Faces Legal Challenges

The Kerala government has reconstituted the State Waqf Board and appointed IUML state vice-president M C Mayin Haji as chairman, replacing the committee led by K S Hamsa that was formed in March. The new nine-member panel includes IUML leaders and representatives associated with the Mujahid faction, while the A P Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar has no representation.

The reconstitution comes at a time of continuing legal uncertainty. Hamsa’s petition challenging the decision remains pending before the Kerala High Court, while the government has deferred the appointment of two non-Muslim members amid proceedings concerning the amended Waqf law.

The immediate focus will be on the new board’s first meeting and its ability to begin administrative work. Its longer-term position, however, will depend on the outcome of the pending court cases and the implementation of the applicable legal requirements.

For Kerala’s Waqf administration, the leadership change marks a new phase, but it does not end the broader debate over representation, statutory compliance and the management of Waqf properties. The decisions of the courts and the actions of the reconstituted board will be central to determining how these issues develop.