The All Kerala Catholic Congress organised solidarity meetings in 1,000 centres across the state to protest against the Munambam Waqf terror and to express solidarity with the victims. All programmes saw large turnouts due to widespread public participation, and participants took the ‘Munambam Solidarity Oath’. The global inauguration was held in Alappuzha at a programme called ‘Nasraani Samudaaya Mahaasammelanam’. Cardinal Mar George Alencherry lit a torch to mark the inauguration. The Cardinal stated on the occasion that the grievances of the people of Munambam are legitimate and that the Church would stand by them until they overcome this ordeal. He called on the Catholic Congress to carry on the struggle with vigour. Catholic Congress Global President Rajeev Kochuparambil administered the oath.
Another major programme was held in Changanasserry, Kottayam district, where parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Koothrappally gathered to protest against the Waqf encroachment in Munambam.
C. Krishnakumar, BJP state general secretary and NDA candidate in the by-election for the Palakkad assembly constituency, addressed the Munambam victims on 10 November. He denounced Kerala’s Waqf and Minorities Affairs Minister, V. Abdu Rahiman, for labelling the Munambam struggle as communal. Poor people, including members of the fishing community, have been fighting for rights to properties they have owned for three generations. This is a struggle for justice that cuts across religious and caste lines. Leaders of the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) remain silent about an agitation that has now become a national issue. Furthermore, both Fronts united to pass a unanimous resolution in the legislative assembly against the Waqf Amendment Bill. Leaders of the BJP and the BJP Minority Morcha also addressed the gathering.
Meanwhile, further reports of Waqf ‘terror’ are emerging from other parts of the state. Landowners of 5.77 acres in Thalappuzha, Wayanad district, have received notices from the Waqf Board claiming that their lands belong to the Board. Puthiyidam Alakkandy Ravi and his neighbours are among the recipients of these notices.
Another report comes from Chavakkad in Thrissur district. Here, a man named Haneefa, apparently a Muslim, found himself similarly affected. When he visited the Village Office to complete paperwork for a bank loan in connection with his daughter’s wedding, he was shocked to learn that the Waqf Board had already claimed his 10-cent plot. Not only Haneefa, but over 200 families in the village are now facing the threat of eviction.
Union Minister George Kurien remarked in Palakkad that those who swear by the Constitution at the top of their voices are ignoring the tears of Munambam. He made this statement while releasing the election manifesto of BJP leader C. Krishnakumar, NDA candidate for the Palakkad by-election.
Interestingly, senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran, former minister and former Pradesh Congress Committee President, was barred when he attempted to visit the hunger strike site in Munambam. Known to be close to the First Family of Congress in Delhi, Sudheeran was met with protestors who prevented him from entering. He then requested to speak with the Parish Vicar, who reportedly replied that he did not wish to see him.
The agitation has now entered its second month, yet no leader from either the LDF or UDF has visited the protestors. Instead, both Fronts recently passed a unanimous resolution in the legislative assembly opposing the Union Government’s Waqf Amendment Bill.
