Thiruvananthapuram, 22 July (H.S.): Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday defended the state government's formation of the Waqf Board, asserting that it was constituted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Central Waqf Act and rejecting allegations that the government had acted against the interests of the Muslim community.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said Kerala's Waqf Board was the first to be constituted after the amended Waqf Act, which had faced strong opposition from several political parties across the country. He noted that the previous Left government itself had accepted the legal provision permitting the appointment of non-Muslim members to the Board. The government order constituting the Board had also made it clear that two non-Muslim representatives—one from the category of eminent public personalities and another from the Bar Council—would be appointed at a later stage, he said.

Satheesan pointed out that four petitions challenging the Board's constitution had subsequently been filed before the courts. The petitions raised issues such as the absence of non-Muslim members, inadequate representation for Muslim sects including the Shia and Bohra communities, and the eligibility of certain appointees.

He said the state government informed the courts that it was prepared to reconstitute the Board after addressing these concerns and requested that the petitions be dismissed. The Waqf Board Chairman and other office-bearers also approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to proceed with appointments in compliance with Section 14 of the Waqf Act, including the appointment of non-Muslim members, he added.

The Chief Minister accused the Leader of the Opposition of deliberately spreading misinformation and attempting to create communal divisions by portraying the government as anti-Muslim. He alleged that the campaign was aimed at turning the Muslim community against the United Democratic Front (UDF)-led government, but asserted that such efforts would not succeed.

Responding to the controversy over voluntary food distribution at government hospitals, Satheesan welcomed the initiative undertaken by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and praised the organisation for its service. He said other youth organisations should emulate such efforts but cautioned that public spaces inside hospitals should not be encroached upon or used for political activities. The government, he reiterated, has no objection to charitable food distribution in hospitals, provided it is carried out in an orderly and non-political manner.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman