Thiruvananthapuram, 17 July (H.S.):Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday accused the Kerala government of attempting to implement what he described as a Sangh Parivar-backed agenda by supporting the inclusion of non-Muslims in the State Waqf Board. He alleged that the move would undermine the autonomy of the Waqf Board and weaken its functioning.

Addressing reporters, Pinarayi said the government's stand was aimed at altering the character of the Waqf Board, a statutory body entrusted with the administration of Waqf properties. He argued that inducting non-Muslims into the Board's management would interfere with its independent functioning and was contrary to the principles under which the institution operates.

The Opposition leader further alleged that the government's position was similar to policies pursued by BJP-ruled states and was inconsistent with Kerala's secular traditions. He claimed that the State government had aligned itself with petitioners in a case before the Kerala High Court concerning the issue, thereby facilitating efforts to dilute the Board's autonomy.

Pinarayi warned that if such an approach was accepted in the case of the Waqf Board, similar interventions could be extended to the affairs of other religious institutions in the future. He maintained that the government's stand reflected an ideological shift that was incompatible with secular governance.

Criticising the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), Pinarayi said Congress leaders had earlier expressed concerns over similar proposals by the Union government but were now supporting their implementation in Kerala. He alleged that the government had even conveyed its position before the Kerala High Court, despite senior Congress leader K C Venugopal having publicly opposed the legislation.

The CPI(M) veteran also questioned the role of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), noting that the party had challenged the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards before the Supreme Court. Since the Waqf portfolio is now held by an IUML minister, Pinarayi said the government's present stand appeared to contradict the party's earlier position. He suggested that the minister's decision reflected a broader change in the League's policy and described it as a contradiction that required an explanation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman