- Protests erupted over non-Muslims being included in Manipur's 8th Waqf Board Committee
- Joint Committee and Muslim groups have held rallies in Sora, Lilong, and Kshetrigao since August 20
- Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met Meitei Pangal leaders to address their concerns
Protests have intensified across Manipur over the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the newly constituted 8th Manipur Waqf Board Committee, with rallies held in Sora, Lilong and Kshetrigao over the past three days.
The mobilisation has also prompted Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to meet representatives of the Meitei Pangal community and assure them that their concerns over the composition of the Waqf Board would be looked into on priority.
The latest protests have been led by the Joint Committee Against the Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members in the 8th Waqf Board Manipur (JCAINMM-WB), along with Muslim organisations, local clubs and civil society groups.
The first rally was held at Sora in Kakching district on August 20 as part of the statewide campaign.
The rally was jointly organised by the Joint Committee, Anjuman Nasrul Islam Sora, All Sora Clubs' Coordinating Committee, Jamiat-ul-Ulama branches of Sora, Phundrei and Keirak, and Keirak Makha Social Welfare Club.
A large crowd participated in the demonstration, carrying placards and raising slogans against the inclusion of the two non-Muslim members.
Addressing the gathering, Jamiat-ul-Ulama Sora Branch president ML Zulfiqar Alam Sheikh described the Waqf Board as an important institution for the Muslim community and demanded that the decision to include the two non-Muslim members be revoked.
He warned that the agitation would be intensified across the state if the government failed to respond to the demand. Sheikh also expressed support for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census.
MV Ataur Rahman, president of the Joint Committee, also demanded the removal of the two non-Muslim members and their replacement with Muslim members.
Rahman said the Waqf Board manages properties donated by generations of Muslims for religious, educational and charitable purposes, including mosques, Eidgahs, madrasas, graveyards and educational institutions. He argued that the Waqf system has traditionally been administered by Muslims.
Chief Minister Meets Meitei Pangal Representatives
On August 21, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met representatives of various civil society organisations from the Meitei Pangal community at his official residence to discuss their concerns over the composition of the Waqf Board.
Waqf Board Chairman Y Antaj Khan was also present at the meeting.
The Chief Minister assured the representatives that their grievances would be looked into on a priority basis. He also briefed them on the government's efforts to revive economic activity in Moreh, according to the meeting account.
The same day, a large protest rally was held in Lilong, Thoubal district.
The rally was organised by the Lilong United Club (LUC).
LUC Convener Sajad Bhuyamayum said the organisation opposed provisions of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, which he described as contrary to secularism and freedom of religion. He also referred to petitions concerning the legislation before the Supreme Court and appealed to the government to review the matter.
The protests continued on Saturday, when thousands of men, women and students participated in a mass rally at Kshetrigao.
The rally was organised by the Joint Committee Against the Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members in the 8th Waqf Board (JCAINMA-WB), in collaboration with Jamiat-E-Ulama, Kshetrigao; Ulama-E-Muttahid; and Youth of Pangal, Kshetrigao.
Organisers have warned that further phases of the agitation could be launched in different parts of the state if the government does not reconsider the composition of the Board.
