Andhra Pradesh: The Andhra Pradesh government clarified on Sunday that the State Waqf Board was dissolved due to administrative concerns and legal challenges. It assured that a new Board would be constituted promptly to address these issues.
This clarification followed media reports suggesting the Waqf Board had been abolished, sparking political reactions. BJP leader Amit Malviya, in a post on X, claimed, "Andhra Pradesh government strikes down the Waqf Board. There is no provision in the Constitution, which supports the existence of one in a secular India," referencing a news channel's report.
In response, the state government's Fact Check Wing countered these claims on X, providing details about the Government Order (G.O.) issued on Saturday.
According to the Fact Check Wing, the Board had been non-functional since March 2023, leading to significant administrative stagnation. The withdrawal of G.O. Ms. No. 47 was necessitated by multiple concerns, including:
13 writ petitions challenging its validity, Lack of proper representation from Sunni and Shia scholars. Exclusion of former MPs. Appointment of junior advocates without clear selection criteria. Questions over the eligibility of certain members. Inability to elect a chairperson due to ongoing litigation.
"The GoAP will take appropriate measures to address these defects and constitute a new Waqf Board at the earliest," the government stated.
The dissolution followed a recommendation from the Chief Executive Officer of the State Waqf Board, who highlighted its prolonged inactivity and the legal disputes over G.O. Ms. No. 47, issued on October 21, 2023, by the previous YSR Congress-led government.
That order had established an 11-member Waqf Board, including elected representatives such as an MLA, an MLC, and eight nominated members, two of whom were women. However, legal challenges regarding member nominations led to a stay on the election of the chairperson by the Andhra Pradesh High Court on November 1, 2023.
The government emphasized that the dissolution was aimed at resolving these legal issues and avoiding an administrative vacuum while paving the way for a more robust Waqf Board.