Transparency Concerns in Religious Trusts Highlighted by Maulana Saif Abbas

During an interview with IANS, Maulana Saif Abbas warned that the inclusion of a Hindu member in the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board faces broad resistance from Muslim organisations, not because of personal bias but due to the specific nature of waqf institutions.

He pointed out that the Ayodhya temple trust has repeatedly been in the news for alleged commission demands during construction, irregular land purchases, and opaque handling of donation funds. Such issues, he argued, erode public confidence in religious bodies that manage vast assets on behalf of devotees.

Abbas cited the case of a Muslim employee at the Gorakhnath Math, noting that his long service demonstrates that religious entities can benefit from inclusive staffing when competence is the key criterion. He urged the state to adopt a uniform policy that places honest, capable individuals in positions of trust across all faith‑based boards.

The scholar concluded that a one‑sided appointment strategy would be unfair. True equality, he said, requires that Hindu trusts also open doors for Muslim representatives, creating a reciprocal system that aligns with constitutional values.