Animesh Bhargave, one of two non-Muslim members appointed to the reconstituted Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board, has outlined his priorities as tackling income leakages, curbing encroachments, and improving the utilisation of Waqf properties — while defending his appointment as a legally mandated, inclusive step. Bhargave spoke to reporters in Bhopal on 7 July, weeks after Madhya Pradesh became the first state in the country to reconstitute its Waqf Board under the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025.

Key Priorities Outlined

Bhargave said the ten-member Board's immediate focus would be on increasing the efficiency of Waqf-owned properties and ensuring that income generated from them reaches the disadvantaged and marginalised sections within the minority community. He flagged underutilisation and rent defaults as two of the most pressing problems.

'The government's intention behind appointing us is to bring transparency. Many people have flagged underutilisation of Waqf properties and encroachment on land. Buildings and assets have been taken over, but proper rent is not being paid, so the board is not generating adequate income. We aim to improve these areas and stop leakages,' Bhargave said.

Role as Expert and Advisor

Bhargave described his formal role on the Board as that of an 'expert and advisor', stating that he and fellow non-Muslim member Manoj Malpani would help devise strategies to prevent revenue loss and improve income generation from Waqf assets. 'The properties are being misused. The potential income they could generate is not being realised. I will try to contribute as an expert or advisor in this regard,' he elaborated.

Responding to the Controversy

The appointments of Bhargave and Malpani triggered political controversy and widespread public debate. Responding to critics, Bhargave argued that those opposing greater transparency were individuals who had long controlled these properties and feared that scrutiny would expose their hold over them. He maintained that the inclusion of non-Muslim members was fully in accordance with laws enacted by Parliament and described it as 'nothing immoral'.

Waqf Amendment Act, 2025: What Changed

Under the earlier Waqf Act, 1995, members of State Waqf Boards were drawn exclusively from the Muslim community. The Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 mandates the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members in each State Waqf Board — a significant structural departure from the previous framework. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to act on this provision, reconstituting its Board ahead of other states.

The restructured Board is expected to streamline Waqf-related administration, prevent encroachments, and ensure that these properties serve their intended socio-economic purposes, according to the state government. How effectively the new composition translates reform intent into measurable outcomes will be closely watched in the months ahead.