Members of the Muslim community held a protest in Manipur’s Thoubal district on August 21 against the state government’s appointment of non-Muslim members to the Waqf Board.
The protesters marched nearly 4 km from Usoipokpi to Lilong Bazar, raising slogans against the BJP-led state government and demanding a review of the appointments.
The protest was organised amid concerns among members of the Pangal, or Muslim, community over the composition of the newly appointed Waqf Board.
Seven Members Appointed to Waqf Board
The Manipur government appointed seven members to the state’s eighth Waqf Board on August 3. Those appointed included BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP A Sharda Devi.
Members of the Pangal community said the appointment of non-Muslim members had caused resentment and raised concerns about the community’s role in managing its religious affairs.
“The inclusion of non-Muslim members has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Pangal community. It also raises concerns over our religious identity and the long-standing practice of managing our own religious affairs,” a protester told reporters.
The appointments were made under provisions of the Waqf Amendment Act, which allows non-Muslim and women members to be included in Waqf management boards.
Chief Minister Meets Pangal Representatives
Amid the protest, Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said he had met representatives of civil society organisations from the Pangal community to discuss their concerns.
Waqf Board chairman Y Antaz Khan was also present at the meeting, Singh said in a social media post.
The chief minister said he had assured the representatives that their concerns would be examined on priority.
The Coordination Committee for Protection of Waqf Properties Manipur (CCPWPM) welcomed the meeting and said the chief minister was aware of the concerns raised by members of the Pangal community.
“We thank the chief minister for meeting us and discussing the issues. He was aware of the concerns of the Pangal community over the matter,” a CCPWPM representative said.
The protest comes amid continuing debate over the changes introduced by the Waqf Amendment Act and the composition and management of Waqf boards across India.
