Kasaragod: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty has praised the Karnataka government for what he called a “miracle” in completing the online registration of all Waqf properties in the state on the Union government’s Umeed portal, as required under the new Waqf law.

Speaking at a convention organised by the Muslim League District Committee at the Kasaragod Municipal Conference Hall, Kunhalikutty said the timing of the Union government’s two major decisions -- the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the compulsory registration of all Waqf properties -- raised serious concerns.

He alleged that both moves were announced just as Kerala entered its local body election season, and were therefore “politically motivated”.

The convention was convened to break down the new rules, clarify doubts, and help Waqf committees understand the Umeed registration process.
Kunhalikutty said religious minorities had enjoyed equal treatment when the Congress was in power at the Centre and in several states. “But now, every new law introduced by the BJP government triggers anxiety among minorities,” he said.
Kunhalikutty alleged that the Modi government’s move to implement SIR and Waqf registration at breakneck speed was part of a strategy to exclude minorities, “just as happened in Bihar, where many were removed from the voter rolls,” he said.

He also criticised the Kerala government for failing to ensure timely and proper registration of Waqf properties on the Umeed portal, calling it a major lapse.

How Karnataka managed it
Karnataka Minister for Waqf, Minorities and Housing, Sameer Ahmad Khan, who inaugurated the meet, explained how the state pulled off the exhaustive registration exercise.
For two months, he said, officials from both the Waqf and Minority Departments were assigned exclusively to the Umeed portal work. Each Waqf Board member was given charge of three districts, daily review meetings were held at the official level, and twice-weekly reviews were conducted at the ministerial level.


Temporary centres were opened across major locations to help with registrations. “These war-like efforts are what enabled Karnataka to finish the work on time,” he said. Khan also commended the Muslim League’s efforts on Waqf-related matters and promised continued cooperation.

Deadline confusion
High Court lawyer and IUML state secretary Adv Muhammad Shah told the gathering that the Union government was legally bound to extend the deadline. He explained that the new rules were notified only on July 3, 2025, which meant the six-month deadline ends on January 3, 2026 and not December 5, as currently announced. Closing the registration earlier would be “legally indefensible,” he said.

Shah urged Mahal committees to attempt registration on the Umeed portal without fail. If registration was not possible, committees should explain the reasons and approach the Waqf tribunal for relief. “But not attempting the process at all is not advisable,” he cautioned.
The meeting was presided over by Muslim League district president Kalatra Mahin.