MP Reconstitutes Waqf Board, Appoints Two Hindu Members

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in India to reconstitute its Waqf Board under the amended Waqf Act, 2025, appointing two Hindu members to the statutory body for the first time. The state government issued a gazette notification on July 4, 2026, establishing a new 10-member board chaired by Sanwar Patel.

The newly appointed non-Muslim members are Manoj Malpani from Indore and Animesh Bhargava from Guna district. Other board members include former Union Minister Najma Heptulla, MLA Atif Aqueel, Faizan Khan, Sister Fatema Choudhary, Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, and the Commissioner of Backward Classes and Minority Welfare as an ex-officio member. Officials stated the reconstitution was carried out under Section 131 of the amended act, following a decision by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

The move implements a key provision of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, which permits the inclusion of non-Muslim members on state Waqf Boards, a departure from the previous 1995 law that required members to be from the Muslim community. State officials said the appointments aim to strengthen transparency, accountability, and administrative oversight in the management of Waqf properties,...