1 week ago
Manipur Muslims Protest Appointment of Non-Muslims to Waqf Board
Muslims in Manipur protested the appointment of non-Muslim members to the state Waqf Board.
A Waqf Board helps manage certain Muslim religious properties and affairs.
The state government appointed seven members on August 3.
One of the appointees was BJP leader A Sharda Devi.
Protesters marched through Thoubal district and objected to the appointments.
They said the decision hurt their religious feelings and traditions.
A law passed by Parliament allows non-Muslim and women members on Waqf boards.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said he would look into the community’s concerns.
Muslim community members demonstrated in Thoubal district against non-Muslim appointments to Manipur’s Waqf Board.
The state government appointed seven members to the eighth Waqf Board on August 3, including BJP state president and Rajya Sabha member A Sharda Devi.
Protesters marched about 4 kilometres from Usoipokpi to Lilong Bazar and raised slogans against the BJP government.
Protesters said the appointments hurt Pangal community sentiments and interfered with its religious identity and traditions.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh met Pangal community representatives and said the grievances would be examined on priority.
- Who
- Members of Manipur’s Muslim, or Pangal, community protested; the state government appointed seven Waqf Board members, including A Sharda Devi.
- What
- A demonstration was held against the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Manipur’s Waqf Board.
- Where
- The protest took place in Thoubal district, with a march from Usoipokpi to Lilong Bazar.
- When
- The appointments were made on August 3; the demonstration was reported on August 21.
- Why
- Protesters said the appointments hurt religious sentiments and interfered with the community’s identity and tradition of managing its religious affairs; Parliament’s Waqf Amendment Act permits such inclusion.
Protesting Community
Government and Legal Position
Non-Muslim membership
Protesting Community
Pangal community protesters said including non-Muslim members hurt their religious sentiments and infringed on their identity and historical tradition of managing religious affairs.
Government and Legal Position
The Waqf Amendment Act passed by Parliament allows non-Muslim and women members on Waqf management boards.
Handling the grievances
Protesting Community
The Coordination Committee for Protection of Waqf Properties Manipur said the community had serious concerns about the appointments.
Government and Legal Position
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh met community representatives and said the concerns would be examined on priority.
Key facts
- Board
- The eighth Waqf Board of Manipur
- Appointments
- Seven members were appointed
- Appointment date
- August 3
- Protest route
- About 4 kilometres, from Usoipokpi to Lilong Bazar
- Protesters’ concern
- They opposed the inclusion of non-Muslim members
- Government response
- Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said the matter would be looked into on priority
- Legal provision
- The Waqf Amendment Act allows non-Muslim and women members on Waqf management boards
Quotes
A representative of the Coordination Committee for Protection of Waqf Properties Manipur
Representative of a community committee opposing the appointments
“The inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board has deeply hurt the sentiments of a large section of the Pangal (Muslim) community in the state. This is not merely an administrative decision but infringes upon religious identity and the historical tradition of managing our own religious affairs.”
theprint.in
“We thank the chief minister for meeting us to discuss the issues. He was aware of the concerns of the Pangal (Muslim) community over the issue.”
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Y Khemchand Singh
Chief Minister of Manipur
“Chairman of the WAQF Board, Y Antaz Khan, also attended the meeting. I assured them that the matter will be looked into on priority.”
theprint.in
Sources
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