The Andhra Pradesh government clarified on Sunday that it has dissolved the State Waqf Board due to several concerns and promised to form a new Board soon.
This explanation came after some media reports claimed that the State Waqf Board had been abolished. The clarification was shared on social media by the government’s Fact Check Wing in response to a tweet from BJP leader Amit Malviya. Malviya had questioned the existence of the Waqf Board, saying, “There is no provision in the Constitution, which supports the existence of one in a secular India.”
The state government’s post explained why the Board was dissolved. “The Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board has remained non-functional since March 2023, leading to a period of administrative stagnation. The withdrawal of G.O. Ms. No. 47 became imperative due to several substantive concerns,” the clarification stated. The government listed several issues, including 13 court cases challenging the Board’s validity, lack of proper representation from Sunni and Shia scholars, and questions about the eligibility of some appointed members. Additionally, the Board could not elect a chairperson because of ongoing court cases.
The post also reassured that a new Waqf Board would be formed as soon as possible. “The GoAP will take appropriate measures to address these defects and constitute a new Waqf Board at the earliest,” it added.
The TDP-led coalition government had issued an order on Saturday to withdraw the earlier order made by the previous YSR Congress Party government. In October 2023, the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had set up an 11-member Board, including elected members and nominees. However, some individuals challenged the nominations in court, leading the Andhra Pradesh High Court to stay the election of the chairperson on November 1, 2023.
