The development comes on the heels of the formation of a new Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board that included non-Muslim members for the first time
LUCKNOW — The debate over the composition of Waqf Boards has widened beyond Madhya Pradesh, with reports suggesting that Uttar Pradesh is preparing to constitute a new Sunni Waqf Board that will include non-Muslim members, Muslim women and representation from the Pasmanda Muslim community.
The development comes on the heels of the formation of a new Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board that included non-Muslim members for the first time, leading to objections from several Muslim organisations and religious scholars.
According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning a similar model while introducing additional representation for women and Pasmanda Muslims. Government officials have described the move as an effort to improve transparency and broaden participation in the administration of waqf properties.
The tenure of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board ended in March, while the term of the Shia Waqf Board is scheduled to conclude in October. Preparations are therefore underway for the formation of new boards.
Under the proposed structure, the Sunni Waqf Board is expected to consist of eleven members, including a chairperson and ten board members. Reports suggest that among these members, there will be two non-Muslim representatives, two Muslim women and at least one representative from the Pasmanda Muslim community.
Government sources have indicated that the inclusion of different sections of society is intended to strengthen oversight and improve the functioning of waqf institutions.
The issue has generated discussion because waqf properties constitute a significant public and religious asset in Uttar Pradesh. Official figures show that the state has 232,547 waqf properties.
Of these, approximately 217,161 properties fall under the Sunni Waqf Board, while around 15,386 properties are administered by the Shia Waqf Board. Officials have also stated that more than 92,000 waqf properties have already been registered on the government’s Umeed portal.
The proposed changes follow developments in Madhya Pradesh, where a newly constituted Waqf Board was formed for the 2025–26 term under provisions introduced through the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025.
The Madhya Pradesh board consists of ten members and includes two non-Muslim representatives. Indore-based Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava of Raghogarh were appointed as non-Muslim members under the revised framework.
The board continues to be headed by Sanwar Patel, who was reappointed as chairman. Other members include Najma Heptulla, Atif Aqeel, Faizan Khan, Fatima Chaudhary, Shaista Sultan and Shabana Khan, among others.
Supporters of the changes argue that broader representation could improve accountability and strengthen institutional governance. Critics, however, contend that waqf institutions are religious endowments created and maintained by Muslims and therefore should remain under the management of members of the Muslim community.
Several Muslim scholars and organisations have previously voiced concerns about provisions allowing non-Muslim representation on waqf boards, maintaining that decisions concerning religious endowments should be taken by those familiar with the religious practices and requirements connected to them.
The Uttar Pradesh government has not yet formally announced the final composition of the new boards. However, reports suggesting the inclusion of non-Muslim members, women and Pasmanda representatives have already sparked political and community debate.
As the process of constituting the new Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards moves forward, attention is likely to remain focused on how the new structure is implemented and what impact it may have on the administration of waqf properties across the state.
