IUML to address Kanthapuram faction's concerns over Waqf Board representation, says Kunhalikutty

Kochi: Industries Minister and senior IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty on Monday acknowledged that the concerns raised by the Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar faction of the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama regarding their exclusion from the reconstituted State Waqf Board were genuine, assuring that the issue would be addressed.

Kunhalikutty was speaking to reporters upon arriving for a meeting convened by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal with leaders from various Muslim community factions in the city.

The Kerala government dissolved the previous Waqf Board headed by K.S. Hamsa on Friday—a board that had been constituted by the former LDF administration in March this year—appointing a new nine-member board despite over four years remaining in the previous board's tenure.

The newly formed board is chaired by IUML leader M.C. Mayin Haji. The remaining members include IUML leader and MLA Kurukkoli Moideen, Musthafa Faizi, Siras D Capsi, Thodiyoor Muhammed Kunju Maulavi, Sajna Firoz, Jaseem Sabaha, Dr. Abdul Majeed Swalahi, and C. Madina Begham.

Following the announcement, criticism from the A.P. faction intensified. Kunhalikutty noted that the IUML had taken note of the grievance and would attempt to find a resolution through dialogue.

"Their concern is genuine. We have no difference of opinion on that. We will discuss the matter and explore ways to resolve it," he said.

Elaborating on the selection process, he explained that statutory, category-based representation criteria constrained the choice of board members.

"Under the new rules, there are several restrictions on the government's powers regarding the membership of the Waqf Board. Members have to be selected from specific categories, and that has created certain issues," he said.

Kunhalikutty clarified that the exclusion was unintentional and emphasised that the party would look into alternative arrangements to accommodate the faction.

"It was not a deliberate attempt to exclude them. We will see whether there is a way to give them representation and resolve the matter through discussions," he said.

While noting that it is challenging to include every organisation in every committee, he assured that steps would be taken to secure broader representation in future appointments.

Dismissing reports that the A.P. faction intended to boycott Monday's meeting, Kunhalikutty clarified that such claims were merely rumors and that any absence would likely be due to prior commitments. (PTI)