Animesh Bhargava, a Hindu member of the newly reconstituted Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board, on Tuesday, 7 July firmly rejected Congress MLA Arif Masood's threat to challenge the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Board before the Supreme Court, asserting that the appointments were fully compliant with the amended Waqf Act, 2025. Madhya Pradesh became the first state in the country to constitute a Waqf Board under the amended law.

Bhargava's Defence of the Appointments

Bhargava stated that the reconstitution was grounded in constitutional and legal authority. 'This has been done in accordance with the Constitution of India. The amended Waqf law was brought to end irregularities in the Waqf Board and plug financial leakages. We have been appointed under the provisions of that law,' he said.

He went further, taking a pointed jab at those threatening legal action. 'Those talking about going to the Supreme Court are the people who have been misusing Waqf Board properties for years,' Bhargava said, framing the opposition as self-interested rather than principled.

What Masood Said — and Why It Triggered the Row

The remarks came a day after Bhopal Central MLA Arif Masood publicly opposed the inclusion of Hindu members and announced a Supreme Court challenge. Masood argued that the move amounted to interference in the religious affairs of Muslims, and questioned the government's timing given that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 is already under consideration before the apex court.

Notably, this is not the first time the amended Waqf law has sparked political friction — the legislation has faced sustained opposition from the Congress and several Muslim organisations since its passage, with critics questioning both its legality and intent.

Composition of the Reconstituted Board

The 10-member Board is headed by Sanwar Patel and includes two Hindu members — Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava — alongside Najma Heptulla, Atif Aqueel, Faizan Khan, Fatema Choudhary, Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, and one ex-officio member. The Board oversees more than 16,000 Waqf properties across Madhya Pradesh, covering mosques, dargahs, graveyards, educational institutions, and commercial properties.

The Broader Political and Legal Context

The controversy sits at the intersection of religion, governance, and law. The Centre's decision to amend the Waqf Act drew nationwide protests when it was passed, with opposition parties arguing it dilutes Muslim community control over religious endowments. Madhya Pradesh's swift reconstitution under the new law has effectively made it a test case — any Supreme Court ruling on the amendment's validity could directly affect the Board's composition and decisions.

With the matter already pending before the apex court, the legal and political battle over the Board's reconstitution is far from over.