The BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh has become India’s first state to reconstitute its Waqf Board under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and includes two Hindu members for the first time. This came after the Waqf Act was amended, which allowed non-Muslims to become members of state Waqf Boards.
On Sunday (5th July), the Madhya Pradesh government constituted a 10-member Waqf Board with Sanwar Patel as its chairman. The Hindu members of the newly-formed board are Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava.
The new Waqf Board has been formed under Section 13(1) of the Wakf Act, 1995, as amended in 2025.
In addition to two Hindu members, the new Waqf Board also includes two women. The members appointed to the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board are Najma Heptulla (New Delhi), Atif Aqueel (MLA Bhopal North), Faizan Khan (Ujjain), Sister Fatema Choudhary (Indore), Shaista Sultan (Councillor Berasia Bhopal), and Shabana Khan (Councillor Ratlam). In addition, the Commissioner of Backwards Classes and Minority Welfare has also been appointed as a member.
