MUMBAI — Strong discontent has grown among Muslim organisations in Maharashtra over the appointment of a non-Muslim as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Maharashtra State Hajj Committee. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has directed its members to move the courts, asserting that the post should be held by a Muslim due to the religious nature of the Hajj pilgrimage.
A meeting of Mumbai-based members of the Personal Law Board was held at the Mumbai Peace Committee office, where it was unanimously decided that a petition would be filed in the Bombay High Court against the appointment of Manoj Jadhav. Jadhav is also serving as CEO of the Maharashtra Minority Development Department. Members noted that this is the third time a non-Muslim officer has been appointed to the post.
A senior member present at the meeting said, “Hajj is not a routine administrative matter. It involves faith, rituals, and religious guidance. Without knowledge of Hajj, justice cannot be done to the pilgrims.”
The Samajwadi Party was the first political group to publicly raise the issue. Former MLA and advocate Yusuf Abrahani released a video opposing the appointment and urged national Muslim organisations to intervene. “This is a clear injustice to Muslims. A committee meant exclusively for Muslims must be led by someone who understands Islam and Hajj,” he said.
Abrahani told reporters that he would approach the court by January 20. “Our petition is ready and will be filed today. Abu Asim Azmi is also preparing a petition on behalf of the Samajwadi Party,” he added.
According to details shared at the meeting, after the tenure of former CEO Imtiaz Qazi ended, Meghna Shinde was appointed but removed within a few months. An officer named Vahul was later given charge. Following his sudden death, Manoj Jadhav was appointed and continues to serve as CEO.
Muslim leaders questioned how such a sensitive responsibility could be entrusted to a non-Muslim. One participant said, “Hajj involves worship, Shariah rules, and religious obligations. A lack of understanding can adversely affect pilgrims.”
The issue has also been taken to the central government. Dr Ahmed Rana, former working president of the Maharashtra Sahitya Urdu Academy, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “When a non-Muslim is appointed as CEO of the Hajj Committee, unrest spreads within the Muslim community. This institution belongs to Muslims, and a Muslim officer should be entrusted with this responsibility.”
The Vice President of the BJP Minority Front has also written to the Prime Minister, urging him to intervene and address the concerns of the Muslim community.
Those present at the Mumbai meeting included Maulana Mahmood Khan Daryabadi, Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Chunawala, Farid Sheikh, Mufti Saeed-ur-Rehman, Saleem Motorwala, and Shakir Sheikh, along with other members of the Personal Law Board and Jamaat-e-Islami workers.
Muslim organisations said the legal battle would continue until a Muslim is appointed as CEO of the Hajj Committee. “We are not asking for favours,” one member said. “We are asking for fairness and respect for our faith.”
