Taking the first step in the country, the Madhya Pradesh government has reorganized the Waqf Board of the state under the new Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. After the decision of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, its official notification has also been issued in Madhya Pradesh Gazette.

Using the powers conferred by Section 13 (1) of the Waqf Act-1995 (Amended-2025), the State Government has constituted the Waqf Board as per the provisions mentioned in Section 14 of the Act. This new 10-member board includes two non-Muslim (Hindu) faces for the first time. Let us tell you that according to the new provisions, it is now mandatory for every State Waqf Board to have at least two non-Muslim members.

​Key appointments and composition of the board

• Sanwar Patel President: BJP leader Sanwar Patel has once again been appointed Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board.
• ​Two Hindu members included: For the first time in the history of the board, two non-Muslim members have got a place. These include Manoj Malpani from Indore and BJP media panelist Animesh Bhargava, associated with the financial sector, from Guna (Raghogarh).
• Other key members: In the new Waqf Board, Najma Heptulla New Delhi, Atif Aqeel MLA Bhopal (North), Faizan Khan Ujjain, Sister Fatema Chaudhary Indore, Shaista Sultan Councilor Berasia Bhopal, Shabana Khan Councilor Ratlam, Manoj Malpani Indore, Animesh Bhargava Raghogarh Guna and Commissioner Backward Class and Minority Welfare have been made members.

Najma Heptulla is a member appointed from the elected category vide notification dated 19.04.2023 under Section 14 of the Waqf Act, 1995 (as amended, 2013). His tenure is effective till 18.04.2028, hence his name has been included in the new notification for the remaining tenure. With this, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to constitute a board under this new amended law, the main objective of which is to bring transparency in the management of Waqf properties and give representation to all sections.