Telangana Waqf Board paralysed as key decisions remain pending

The Board last met on October 26, 2024, before the passage of the Waqf Act, 2025. The continued suspension of meetings has prompted allegations that the Board's functioning is being deliberately paralysed.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Waqf Board is facing a prolonged administrative deadlock, with key decisions stalled due to repeated postponements of its meetings. The delay, reportedly stemming from the state government’s failure to grant permission to convene meetings, has raised concerns over the Board’s ability to protect valuable Waqf properties.

The Board last met on October 26, 2024, before the passage of the Waqf Act, 2025. The continued suspension of meetings has prompted allegations that the Board’s functioning is being deliberately paralysed.

Several crucial matters remain unresolved, including the review of pending litigation, appointment of special counsels to represent the Board in courts, and formation of mosque management committees. Disputes involving Jamia Nizamia land and Waqf properties in Malkajgiri also await resolution.

Maulana Abul Fateh Syed Bandagi Badshah Qadri, a Board member and joint secretary and executive member of the All India Jamiat-ul-Mashaikh, has warned that the prolonged impasse could jeopardise Waqf properties and damage the reputation of the Revanth Reddy government.

He feels the Board ought to continue functioning even with a reduced number of members. The Board currently has only seven members. Interestingly, Waqf Boards in other states continue to discharge their responsibilities under similar circumstances. The erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board, he pointed out, had functioned with as few as three members.

‘If Board is defunct, how are salaries being paid?’

Bandagi Badshah, who is also a trustee of the Mohsin-e-Insaniyat Foundation, questioned the legal status of the Board’s nominated members and chairman.

“If the Board is defunct, on what legal basis are salaries and additional financial benefits being paid to its chairman and members? Under what authority are they signing files?” he asked.

He said that if the Board was legally non-existent, the salaries and other benefits paid to its chairman and members should be recovered.

He also alleged that orders and announcements were being issued in violation of the Board’s rules and the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, and the Waqf Act, 2025. He called for clarity on which legislation governs the Board’s functioning, particularly as the validity of the 2025 Act is under consideration before the Supreme Court.

Objecting to proceedings being issued without prior approval from Board members on the assumption that their consent could be obtained at a subsequent meeting, he described the practice as undemocratic and improper.

As an autonomous body, the Board must take decisions through the prescribed resolution process and with the approval of its members, he maintained. He demanded that actions taken in violation of these requirements be declared null and void.

Bandagi Badshah warned that the continued administrative paralysis has put valuable Waqf properties, including those associated with Jamia Nizamia and in Malkajgiri, at risk. He urged the state government to intervene immediately, ensure regular meetings and restore the Board’s effective functioning.

The community had placed considerable hopes in Mohammed Azharuddin’s appointment as Minorities Welfare Minister. But those expectations had not been met.

“Unfortunately, these hopes have been dashed, with no improvement in the situation,” he said.