Pinarayi Vijayan alleges UDF government in Kerala is surrendering to BJP-RSS on Waqf, Vande Mataram

Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala of surrendering to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on issues including the Waqf law and the singing of Vande Mataram.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Waqf law and UDF surrender' organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) on Sunday evening, Mr. Vijayan said his previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had not appointed two non-Muslim members to the Waqf Board. In contrast, he said, the current UDF government had told the High Court that there was no legal impediment to such appointments.

The Waqf Board is a statutory body responsible for managing waqf properties in the state. The issue concerns the composition of the board, with some Muslim organisations arguing that the presence of non-Muslims would undermine its religious character.

Mr. Vijayan questioned why the government should allow non-Muslims to be appointed to a Muslim religious institution. He alleged that such a move reflected a communal mindset and warned that similar interventions could later target institutions of other religions.

He also criticised the UDF over the singing of Vande Mataram, alleging that the decision to sing its full version at the new government's swearing-in ceremony reflected a surrender to the RSS agenda. He said the Congress had no clear position on the issue and was aligning with RSS policies in States it governs and at its party headquarters.

Mr. Vijayan also questioned Waqf Minister N. Samsudheen's position on the Waqf law and asked why he had not opposed the provision allowing non-Muslim members on Waqf Boards.

Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama secretary Umar Faizy Mukkam also criticised the UDF government at the seminar. He alleged that the government had supported BJP leader Shone George's position before the High Court in the Waqf case. He claimed that the government's stand would allow even RSS members to be appointed to the Waqf Board. He further alleged that the government was opposing the inclusion of Umar Faizy and K.S. Hamza on the board and was willing to compromise a religious law to keep them out.

Mr. Faizy praised Mr. Vijayan for not appointing non-Muslim members to the Waqf Board during his tenure as Chief Minister.

Former Haj Committee chairman C. Mohammed Faizy and former Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel also attended the seminar.

There was no immediate response from the state government to the allegations. The seminar is part of the ongoing political debate over the Waqf law, with the opposition accusing the UDF of compromising on secular values while the government defends its position as legally sound.