Madhya Pradesh Reconstitutes Waqf Board Under New Law, Includes Hindu Members

The Madhya Pradesh Government has reorganised the State Waqf Board under the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , introducing a new ten-member body that includes two Hindu members . Officials said the move makes Madhya Pradesh the first state in the country to constitute a Waqf Board under the amended legislation.

According to a government notification, Sanwar Patel has been appointed as the chairman of the newly constituted board. Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava have been nominated as the two Hindu members, a development the state government described as a first for any state-level Waqf Board formed under the revised law.

Officials said the board has been constituted by the state government using powers granted under Section 13(1) of the Waqf Act, 1995 , as amended in 2025, while its composition has been framed in accordance with Section 14 of the legislation. A gazette notification formalising the appointments has also been issued.

The Waqf Board is a statutory body responsible for the administration, management and protection of Waqf properties across the state. Its mandate includes maintaining official records of Waqf assets, monitoring their utilisation and income, preventing encroachments, and ensuring that the properties are used for religious, educational and social welfare purposes in accordance with legal provisions.

The reconstitution follows the enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , which introduced changes to the governance and functioning of Waqf Boards across the country. The Madhya Pradesh government said the newly formed board reflects the framework laid down under the amended law.

The announcement is expected to draw attention as other states begin implementing the revised legislation governing Waqf institutions. The state government maintained that the reorganisation has been carried out strictly in accordance with statutory provisions, while the newly appointed board is expected to oversee the management and protection of Waqf properties across Madhya Pradesh in the coming years.