INL alleges conspiracy behind proposed Waqf Board reconstitution

The Indian National League (INL) on Sunday alleged that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government was attempting to reconstitute the Kerala State Waqf Board as part of a larger plan linked to the Munambam land dispute.In a statement, INL State general secretary Kasim Irikkur alleged that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who wanted to hand over the Munambam Waqf land to resort and bar owners, had conspired with Waqf Minister N. Samsudheen and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to reconstitute the Waqf Board after realising that the existing board was unwilling to compromise on the Munambam issue.The INL alleged that a petition filed by BJP leader Shone George in the Kerala High Court had been used as a pretext to facilitate the move. It also claimed that the Additional Solicitor General, appearing for the Union government, and the State’s Advocate General had relied on provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, legislation that the Congress and the IUML have been opposing, to support arguments against the present board.The party further alleged that an affidavit was filed before the High Court in the name of Revenue Under Secretary T.P. Pushpavalli, through Government Special Pleader P.M. Saneer, without the knowledge of Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar and at the instance of Mr. Shamsuddeen. According to the INL, the affidavit indicated that the State Waqf Board would be reconstituted under the provisions of the 2025 Act.The INL also accused the IUML of taking contradictory positions by contending that the present board was invalid for not including two non-Muslim members while simultaneously challenging the legal provision in the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, mandating such appointments before the Supreme Court.Alleging that the move was intended to gain control over the Waqf Board and its properties, the INL claimed that it was part of a broader agenda of the BJP-led Union government and RSS to weaken minority rights. Published - July 19, 2026 09:37 pm IST