Prakash Javadekar, former Union Minister and BJP Prabhari for the Kerala party unit, has demanded the state government to disclose the statistics of Waqf lands in Kerala. On Tuesday, while speaking at Palakkad, one of the byepoll seats, he said disclosure should include a breakdown of government land, private land, farmers’ land, and land belonging to people of other religions, among others. Javadekar stated that the government already possesses all the relevant details and should publish them before November 20.
The former Union Minister added that Waqf is a significant issue now, as they can claim any property. If there is a dispute concerning a temple or a church, the stakeholders may approach the court. However, the plaintiff cannot do so if the complaint is against Waqf. This situation presents two sets of laws in a single country. Kerala has recognised the double standards of both the LDF and the UDF. Waqf is not an issue between Hindus, Christians, and Muslims; it is a matter between extremists and society. No government should be permitted to appease the extremists.
വഖഫ് നിയമങ്ങൾ ഉയർത്തുന്ന പ്രശ്നങ്ങൾ തുറന്ന് കാട്ടി @PrakashJavdekar . മുനമ്പത്തത്തെ ആളുകൾ നേരിടുന്ന പ്രശ്നങ്ങൾക്ക് കാരണമായ വഖഫ് നിയമത്തിന് അനുകൂലമായി പ്രമേയം പാസ്സാക്കിയ യുഡിഎഫും എൽഡിഎഫും രാഷ്ട്രീയം കളിക്കുകയാണെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം പറഞ്ഞു pic.twitter.com/vQ4BCirnXI
— BJP KERALAM (@BJP4Keralam) November 5, 2024
Javadekar alleged that the Waqf Board aims to evict people from Munambam. The government should clarify whether the Munambam property belongs to Waqf. He also mentioned that there is a Waqf threat in Noorani and Kalppathi in Palakkad.
Meanwhile, Waqf Board Chairman M.K. Sakkeer stated that there would not be any eviction immediately. However, he mentioned that the Board is taking legal action to protect the properties under the Waqf deed. If there is a dispute regarding Waqf properties, the Board will review the legal decisions. Waqf properties are spread throughout the state.
BJP state vice president Shobha Surendran stated that both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF have betrayed the people of Munambam. She was addressing a public meeting near the Velankanni Matha Church in Munambam, in connection with the culmination of the BJP’s vehicle propaganda programme. She said that both Fronts should clarify their stance on supporting the anti-Waqf Amendment (unanimous) resolution passed in the assembly. The Chief Minister runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds. The people of Munambam have every right to live peacefully, just like the families of the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
The Munambam Waqf case centers around a land dispute in the coastal area of Munambam, Ernakulam district, where nearly 600 odd families face the threat of displacement, where most of them are Christian. The residents have been on a relay hunger strike for over four weeks. Prominent bishops and BJP MP Suresh Gopi have visited the protest site, expressing solidarity and pledging to fight for justice on behalf of the affected community. All the leaders criticised the LDF and UDF fronts and their Muslim appeasement policies.
Now, the people of Munambam publicly state that the BJP is the only party that has stood up for them.
