Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Manipur Protests Intensify Over Two Non-Muslim Waqf Board Members
People in parts of Manipur are protesting the appointment of two non-Muslim members to a Muslim Waqf Board.
A Waqf Board looks after properties donated for religious, educational and charitable purposes.
Protesters say the Board should be managed by Muslim members.
They want the two appointments cancelled and replaced.
Rallies took place in Sora, Lilong and Kshetrigao.
Thousands of people, including students, joined one of the demonstrations.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met representatives of the Meitei Pangal community.
He said the government would examine their concerns quickly, but no change to the Board’s membership was announced.
Protests were held in Sora, Lilong and Kshetrigao against two non-Muslim members of the 8th Manipur Waqf Board Committee.
The Joint Committee Against the Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members led rallies with Muslim organisations, clubs and civil society groups.
Protesters demanded that the two members be removed and replaced with Muslim members.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met Meitei Pangal representatives and said their concerns would be examined on priority.
Organisers warned of further statewide agitation if the government does not reconsider the Board’s composition.
- Who
- The Joint Committee Against the Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members, Muslim organisations, local clubs, civil society groups and Meitei Pangal representatives.
- What
- Protests and rallies opposing the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the 8th Manipur Waqf Board Committee.
- When
- The rallies began on August 20 and continued over the following three days; the Chief Minister met representatives on August 21.
- Where
- Sora in Kakching district, Lilong in Thoubal district and Kshetrigao in Manipur.
- Why
- Protesters said the Waqf Board traditionally manages Muslim-donated religious, educational and charitable properties and demanded that the two non-Muslim members be removed.
Opponents of Inclusion
Government Response
Waqf Board composition
Opponents of Inclusion
Protesters demand that the two non-Muslim members be removed and replaced with Muslim members, arguing that the Board has traditionally been administered by Muslims.
Government Response
The government has not announced whether it will change the composition, but Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said the concerns would be looked into on a priority basis.
Waqf Amendment Act, 2025
Opponents of Inclusion
The Lilong United Club opposed provisions of the Act, describing them as contrary to secularism and freedom of religion, and referred to related petitions before the Supreme Court.
Government Response
The article reports no substantive government response to these objections.
- Issue
- Inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the 8th Manipur Waqf Board Committee
- First reported rally
- Sora, Kakching district, August 20
- Other protest locations
- Lilong and Kshetrigao
- Chief Minister
- Yumnam Khemchand Singh
- Government response
- The Chief Minister said the community’s concerns would be examined on priority
- Protest demand
- Removal of the two non-Muslim members and their replacement with Muslim members
- Further action
- Organisers warned of additional phases of agitation across Manipur