Hyderabad: The Telangana govt’s removal of Waqf Board CEO Mohammed Asadullah has triggered a row, with political leaders and community representatives accusing the state of selectively implementing the newly-amended Waqf Act.Asadullah, an additional collector-rank officer from the revenue department, was repatriated after the Telangana high court ordered that only a joint secretary-level officer or above can serve as CEO under the new Act. The state issued orders on Aug 5, acting on a petition filed by Gopanpally resident Mohammed Kuthubuddin. When the govt delayed compliance, Kuthubuddin filed a contempt plea, following which Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka directed immediate implementation.While the state insists it was only following the court’s directive, the move has sparked questions about its larger approach to the Waqf Amendment Act. Some leaders pointed out the Supreme Court is still hearing challenges to the Act and asked why the govt had not gone for an appeal in the high court. Others said the state must clarify if it intends to enforce other provisions, such as reconstituting the board with non-Muslim and women members, and even appointing a non-Muslim CEO.Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson Amjad Ullah Khan accused the Congress govt of surrendering without a fight. “Why did the govt not contest such a sensitive issue? The Supreme Court has not yet given a ruling on the Amendment Act,” he said.Waqf Board chairman Syed Azmatullah Husseni, however, defended the state, saying it had no choice but to comply. “The govt did not act voluntarily. It only implemented the high court order. Other provisions, such as reconstitution of the board, are still pending before the Supreme Court. There is no bar on appointing a CEO as per the Act,” he told TOI.He recalled that when the board earlier proposed a meeting, the CEO had sought clarification from the govt on whether it could go ahead in light of the new law. With grievances piling up and the meeting deferred, an affected person approached the court seeking enforcement of the Act, which ultimately led to Asadullah’s removal.Ironically, the Waqf Board has now written to the govt asking that an officer of assistant secretary rank be appointed as interim CEO until a Muslim officer of joint secretary cadre is found. The chairman said the Act permits such temporary arrangements.The episode has added to the uncertainty around the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act. While the govt has acted under the court order in removing the CEO, it now faces scrutiny over whether it will extend the same urgency to other contentious provisions of the law.
