INL joins ‘move’ to reconstitute Waqf Board at Munambam

The Indian National League (INL) on Sunday (July 19, 2026) alleged that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government was trying to reconstitute the Kerala State Waqf Board as part of a larger plan linked to the Munambam land dispute.

INL State General Secretary Kasim Irikkur said in a statement that Chief Minister VD Satheesan, who wanted to hand over the Munambam Waqf lands to resort and bar owners, conspired with Waqf Minister N. Samsudheen and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to reconstitute the Waqf Board after realizing that the existing board was unwilling to compromise on the Munbam issue.

The INL alleged that a petition filed by BJP leader Shon George in the Kerala High Court was used as a pretext to facilitate the move. It also alleged that another Solicitor General, appearing for the Union Government, and the State Solicitor General relied on the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, legislation opposed by the Congress and the IUML, to support their arguments against the current committee.

The party further alleged that the affidavit was filed in the High Court on behalf of Deputy Finance Minister TP Pushpavalli through Special Representative of the Government PM Saneer without the knowledge of AP Revenue Minister Anil Kumar and at the behest of Mr. Samsudheen. According to INL, the affidavit indicated that the State Waqf Board would be restored under the provisions of the 2025 Act.

The INL also accused the IUML of taking conflicting positions when it argued that the current board was invalid because it did not include two non-Muslim members and at the same time challenged the legal provision of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which mandates such appointments, to the Supreme Court.

Alleging that the move was intended to gain control over the Waqf Board and its properties, the INL alleged that it was part of a larger agenda of the BJP-RSS-led Union government to weaken the rights of minorities.

Published – 19 Jul 2026 21:37 IST