kerala-set-to-establish-waqf-board-under-new-act

A state, which had strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, will now be among the first states to set up a Waqf Board under the new law.

 

The term of the current Board expired on 19 December 2024. It continues to function only under an extension granted by the Kerala High Court. The court has asked the Board to carry on with its duties until elections are held.

 

The new Waqf Board is expected to be formed within two months.

 

Interestingly, both the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Front and the opposition Congress-led UDF had objected to the amendment. The Kerala Assembly had even passed a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the Bill.

 

Also read: Waqf law under fire, SC to examine petitions 'soon'

 

Despite the opposition, the Bill received the President’s assent on 5 April. The amended Act is now in force across India.

 

Kerala Minister for Waqf V. Abdurahiman said the state government would soon begin the selection process for the new Board. “We hope to complete the process within a month. The Board’s activities cannot be stopped,” he said.

 

The selection of a new Board is necessary because the previous Board’s term ended before the new law came into effect.

 

According to legal experts, Boards in other states can continue if their terms have not ended. The amended Act allows current elected members to serve until their term expires.

 

Kerala will now need to revise its earlier selection process to align with the new rules. The state had already begun preparations under the old Act.

 

As per the previous timeline, the draft voters’ list was to be published on 4 April, with polling scheduled for June. Seven members were to be elected, while five were to be nominated by the state government.

 

The Centre’s move to amend the Waqf Act had triggered strong political and social reactions in Kerala. Most Muslim organisations had opposed it. However, a section of the Kerala Church supported the changes, especially regarding land rights.

 

The BJP-backed NDA had welcomed the amendments. In contrast, all major parties in the UDF and LDF opposed them.

 

Despite the earlier resistance, Kerala now finds itself leading the implementation of the amended Waqf Act.