The Maharashtra state government in India, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has appointed Manoj Yadav, a non-Muslim government official, as the head of the state’s Hajj Committee on January 14. The decision has drawn strong criticism from Indian Muslims, who argue that a religious body overseeing Hajj affairs should be led by a Muslim.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, which oversees Muslim family law matters, announced plans to challenge the appointment in the Bombay High Court. Muslim leaders in Maharashtra stated that the Hajj Committee manages all aspects of the pilgrimage for the state’s Muslims, and therefore its leadership should remain within the community. They expressed concern that the appointment signals government interference in religious matters.

Maharashtra’s Muslim leaders have also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and central government officials, warning that appointing a non-Muslim to such a religiously sensitive position could deepen mistrust between the government and the Muslim community.