Protests Over Non-Muslim Appointees to Manipur Waqf Board

IMPHAL, August 22, 2026: On August 21, 2026, members of the Manipuri Muslim (Pangal) community held demonstrations in Manipur's Thoubal district — marching from Usoipokpi to Lilong Bazar — to protest the government's appointment of non-Muslim members to the reconstituted 8th Manipur Waqf Board. The dispute centers on the inclusion of non-Muslim appointees, such as BJP Manipur State President and MP A. Sharda Devi, following the state government's order issued on August 3, 2026.

Why the Government Intervened

The state government reconstituting the board with non-Muslim members stems from statutory enforcement and administrative oversight:

• Statutory Compliance: The state government acted pursuant to the updated provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which reformed Section 14 to mandate representation for non-Muslims and women on state Waqf Boards.

• Administrative & Public Transparency: State authorities framed the inclusion of non-Muslim members as a mechanism to improve efficiency, administrative oversight, and financial transparency regarding Waqf property management.

Critical Perspective & Key Concerns

Critiques raised by community organizations, including the Joint Committee Against the Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members in the 8th Waqf Board (JCAINMM-WB) and local student bodies, highlight several fundamental issues:

• Infringement on Religious Autonomy: A Waqf board is dedicated exclusively to managing Islamic religious properties, charities, and endowments. Appointing non-Muslims to manage internal religious and charitable trusts compromises the community's constitutionally protected right to manage its own religious affairs.

• Double Standard in Institutional Management: Community leaders point out that other state-managed religious trusts—such as the Shri Govindajee Temple Board or the Sanamahi Temple Board—are managed strictly by adherents of those respective faiths, rendering the mandate on Muslim institutions selectively intrusive.

• Disregard for Indigenous Traditions: The Pangal community has historically managed its religious endowments autonomously. Overriding this long-standing practice risks alienating a minoritized indigenous community during an already delicate socio-political climate in Manipur.

• Erosion of Faith in Local Oversight: Civil society organizations argue that placing political figures and non-adherents onto religious boards politicizes administrative institutions and damages trust between the state and local minority populations.