The Telangana Government on Thursday nominated five members to pave the way for the formation of Telangana State Wakf Board.
While Malik Motasim Khan has been nominated under the category of ‘Eminent Muslim’, Dr. Syed Nissar Hussain (Hyder Aga) was appointed in the category of ‘Shia Scholar. Advocate Waheed Ahmed has been appointed in the category of ‘Sunni Scholar’; IPS officer Tafseer Iqbal is the Government Nominee and Dr. Sofia Begum has been appointed as woman member.
It may be mentioned that six members in various categories have already been elected as the members of TS Wakf Board. They are: Asasduddin Owaisi (MP); Mohammed Saleem and Mohammed Maozam Khan (Members of State Legislature); M. Zakeer Hussain Javid (Member of Bar Council); Mirza Anwar Baig (Managing Committee) and Syed Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini (Muthwalli).
With the appointment of five more members on Thursday, the Telangana State Wakf Board is deemed constituted and it would come into formal existence after the members elect the new chairman which is likely to happen next week.
However, the nominations made by the State Government are prone to legal controversies. For instance, Malik Motasim Khan, who has been appointed under ‘Eminent Muslim’ categories, is not a scholar in Sunni Theology though he belonged to Jamat-e-Islami. He was a teacher by profession and later become a politician. He contested from Nizamabad Lok Sabha Constituency as Welfare Party candidate.
Likewise, Waheed Ahmed is a practicing advocate and therefore, his nomination in the category of ‘Sunni Scholar’ could be challenged in a court of law. Although he played an active role in the separate statehood movement, he could not be defined as ‘Sunni Scholar’.
As of now, more than three petitions are pending before the High Court which challenged the procedure adopted by the State Government in conduct elections for various categories. The petitioners have accused the government violating the provisions of Central Waqf Act.
A few members of Shia Community too had approached the court seeking constitution of a separate Wakf Board for Shia properties. The State Government has already rejected the demand for a Shia Wakf Board. (INN)