The Andhra Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu dissolved the Waqf Board formed during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) tenure on 1st December. The reasons behind the decision, cited by the government in its notification are inefficiency and non-inclusiveness. A notification, which states that a new board will soon be constituted has left the political and social worlds buzzing with debate.
The move comes at a time when the Waqf Board has been in a state of stagnation for months. The Naidu administration claims that the board had not been functioning effectively since March 2023. It was criticized for not having proper representation from Sunni and Shia communities, besides former Members of Parliament. This development, where the Andhra Pradesh government dissolves the Waqf Board, marks a major policy shift.
The order of the government also pointed out irregularities in the board’s functioning. Apparently, junior advocates had been appointed to key legal positions without proper procedure, which had been causing alleged conflicts of interest. Senior advocates dealing with critical cases were being disturbed and thus further complicated the working of the board. This is one of the reasons why it was decided to dissolve the body.
Andhra Pradesh government dismisses Waqf Board on higher orders
The dissolution followed a government order issued on November 30 by the Minorities Welfare Department, overturning an earlier directive that had formed the 11-member Waqf Board under the YSRCP. Questions surrounding the qualifications of SK Khaja, a board member, and the delayed election of a chairman due to legal disputes further fueled the decision. As the Andhra Pradesh government dissolves the Waqf Board, concerns over governance and inclusivity remain in focus.
This comes at a time when debates surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 are on. The proposed bill, seeking to reform Waqf property management, has drawn opposition from Muslim organizations and other opposition parties. The central government says that the proposed bill would help improve efficiency and transparency in the Waqf administration.
All this controversy in the wake of the bill has a deeper concern with the government deciding to abolish the Waqf Board, casting doubts over the fate of minorities in the administration.
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