Waqf Board rift reaches CMO over implementation of amended Act
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Hyderabad: An internal disagreement between Telangana Waqf Board chairman Syed Azmatullah Husseni and chief executive officer Mohammed Asadullah over the convening of a board meeting escalated to the chief minister's office on Wednesday.
The chairman has expressed concerns over the CEO's interpretation and attempted implementation of the amended Waqf Act, claiming that most states—particularly those not governed by the BJP—have yet to act upon it. He alleged that the CEO's move to enforce the new provisions in Telangana was unilateral and against the spirit of consensus within the board.
The rift intensified when the chairman formally directed the CEO to convene a board meeting.
In response, the CEO sought clarification from the state government on the legal standing of the board under the revised Waqf Act. The state govt subsequently advised the CEO not to proceed with the meeting until legal guidance is obtained from the advocate general.
Speaking to TOI, Husseni questioned the CEO's eligibility under the new law, pointing out that the revised Act stipulates the CEO must be of joint secretary rank or above, whereas Asadullah is a deputy secretary–level officer.
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"As per the law, he should step aside until a suitable appointment is made," Husseni said. He also confirmed raising the issue with the CMO and pointed to the Centre's affidavit in the Supreme Court, which clarified that existing boards need not be dissolved immediately, nor should the Waqf-by-user clause be enforced rigidly at this stage.
In response, Asadullah maintained that, as the statutory convener of the Waqf Board, he acted in accordance with protocol.
He said that the amended Act had received Presidential assent and was thus in force, and that his letter to the govt merely sought procedural clarity. "The state govt advised me to await legal opinion before calling the meeting," he said.
On the question of eligibility under the revised Act, Asadullah acknowledged the requirement for a joint secretary–level officer to serve as CEO and stated that he would comply with any direction issued by the govt on the matter.
The state govt is expected to review the issue once Tafseer Iqbal, special secretary of the minorities welfare department, returns from leave on June 16.
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