BJP Member of Parliament Jagdambika Pal defended the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and various Waqf Boards following queries from the Supreme Court on the matter. Pal argued that the Waqf Board is a statutory and administrative body, rather than a religious one, and therefore, there is no constitutional barrier to including members from other communities.

In a conversation with ANI, Pal, who also served as the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, explained that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that the Waqf Board is not a religious institution but a legal entity responsible for managing Waqf properties. Pal further emphasised that this was in line with earlier legal interpretations, including a decision where the court affirmed that the Waqf is an administrative body, not a religious one.