Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Protesters marched nearly 4 km from Usoipokpi to Lilong Bazar on August 21 to voice their anger. Members of the Pangal community demanded the state government review recent Waqf Board appointments. These appointments, finalized on August 3, named seven members to the eighth Waqf Board, including BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP A Sharda Devi. The move follows the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, which mandates non-Muslim representation on these boards.
Critics argue the mandate clashes with historical norms of religious autonomy. The Pangal community has historically managed its own religious affairs through institutions like the Pangal Loishang. Now, the new legal framework threatens that tradition. One protester told reporters, "The inclusion of non-Muslim members has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Pangal community. It also raises concerns over our religious identity and the long-standing practice of managing our own religious affairs."
The legal fight continues in the Supreme Court. The court recently declined to stay the amended law but capped the number of non-Muslim members on any state board at three. While Madhya Pradesh and Manipur have filled these slots, other states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have opted to keep the disputed seats vacant to avoid friction.
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh met with representatives from civil society groups and Waqf Board chairman Y Antaz Khan to discuss the fallout. The Coordination Committee for Protection of Waqf Properties Manipur welcomed the dialogue. A committee representative stated, "We thank the chief minister for meeting us and discussing the issues. He was aware of the concerns of the Pangal community over the matter." The government has promised to examine these concerns as a priority.
Comments