Kerala Reconstitutes Waqf Board, Names M. C. Mayin Haji Chairman

The Keralam government has reconstituted the Kerala State Waqf Board, appointing senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader M. C. Mayin Haji as chairman and dissolving the previous board headed by K. S. Hamsa less than seven months after its formation. The move comes amid continuing legal challenges over the board's composition, disagreements over representation for different Muslim organisations and wider political disputes surrounding the Centre's amended Waqf law.

The government issued an order on October 16, dissolving the board constituted in March 2026 by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, despite more than four years remaining in its tenure. Hamsa has challenged the reconstitution before the Kerala High Court, with his petition pending when the new appointments were announced.

Mayin Haji, the IUML's Kerala state vice-president, has extensive experience in Waqf administration. Reports indicate that he served as an elected board member representing the mutawalli category for 18 consecutive years. Mutawallis manage Waqf properties dedicated to religious, charitable and educational purposes. After his appointment, Mayin Haji identified resolving disputes within the Muslim community and recovering lost Waqf properties as key priorities.

The nine-member board includes IUML leader and MLA Kurukkoli Moideen, Musthafal Faizi, Siras D. Capsi, Thodiyoor Muhammed Kunju Maulavi, Sajna Firoz, Jaseem Sabaha, Dr Abdul Majeed Swalahi and C. Madina Begham. The composition has attracted criticism over the absence of representatives from the A. P. Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar and the E. K. Sunni faction of Samastha. Representatives associated with Mujahid organisations and Jamaat-e-Islami-linked groups have been included.

The government has deferred appointing two non-Muslim members required under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, citing pending judicial proceedings. The legislation, which introduced changes to Waqf property registration and administration, has faced opposition from sections of the Muslim community.

The reconstitution also comes amid the Munambam land dispute in Ernakulam district, where hundreds of families challenged the classification of coastal land as Waqf property. The Kerala High Court ruled in October 2025 that the disputed classification was legally invalid, intensifying scrutiny of the board's decisions.