Waqf Board Dysfunction Deepens; Public Wants Praja Vani Revived

Waqf Board | Hyderabad, July 23: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s flagship grievance redressal initiative Prajavani — once seen as a beacon of hope for common citizens—has also reportedly been discontinued at the Telangana State Waqf Board.

The move has disappointed many applicants who found the weekly outreach program effective in getting their long-pending issues heard.

Several visitors to the Board claim that Praja Vani had given them at least a platform to raise their concerns directly with officials. “It was a very good program. We request the Secretary of Minority Welfare B Shafiullah, to restart it immediately,” said Maulana Khairuddin Sufi Quadri.

However, top officials allegedly justified its closure by claiming that it was being misused by well-connected middlemen, some even arriving in luxury cars to get preferential treatment—defeating the program’s original purpose.

Waqf Board Dysfunction Deepens

Meanwhile, the core functioning of the Telangana Waqf Board remains in a state of total collapse. Under the leadership of Chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini, no visible work is being undertaken, and public frustration is at an all-time high.

The internal rift between Chairman Syed Azmatullah and CEO Mohammed Asadullah has reached the Chief Minister’s Office, reflecting deeper governance issues. Their disagreements, particularly over implementing amendments to the Waqf Act and calling board meetings, have crippled administrative functioning, he added.

Disturbingly, it is being reported that the chairman is now coming to the office only after 7 p.m.— well beyond official working hours—making public access practically impossible.

Mohiuddin, another frustrated visitor, said, “We voted for Congress for development—but where is it? Nothing is moving here.”

No board meetings have taken place since October 2024, bringing to a halt crucial decisions regarding land encroachments, rent collection, and legal proceedings. With over 75% of the Waqf Board’s land under illegal occupation—amounting to assets worth thousands of crores—this inaction has sparked outrage among the Muslim community.

UMEED portal

While a pilot survey of 75 Waqf properties by IIT Delhi is underway, and the digital UMEED portal has been introduced, the actual on-ground impact remains negligible. Only three mutawallis have registered on the portal so far.

The recent Waqf Act amendments have further created confusion, with the state government advising the board not to hold meetings until legal clarity is received—raising questions over the validity of the current chairman and nominated members.

As internal conflicts reach the Chief Minister’s Office, and the public grows increasingly impatient, calls for structural reform, leadership change, and the revival of programs like Prajavani are getting louder.

Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe.  Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates