Tensions continue to rise over the Waqf Board’s claims on land in Munambam, as Sunni Muslim factions have intensified their push for the Kerala government to declare the disputed properties as Waqf lands. The demand has been firmly supported by groups like the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (AP and EK factions), along with other influential Muslim organizations including the Muslim League. These factions are adamant that the existing Waqf laws should be enforced to declare the properties in Munambam as Waqf, despite strong opposition from the local community
For the residents of Munambam, this is not just a legal dispute—it’s a battle for their land, which they purchased with their hard-earned money. The anxiety among the locals has been mounting as they fear losing their homes and livelihoods to the Waqf claims. The residents are demanding that the land be recognized as their private property and that their rights to revenue and land use, including the ability to pay taxes and pledge their property, be restored.
The Waqf Minister and several other Kerala ministers have voiced their support for the demand to declare the Munambam properties as Waqf lands. Some Sunni organizations have gone so far as to demand that the Chief Minister make an official statement on the matter. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the meeting the CM Pinaryi Vijayan has scheduled for November 22, which is intended to seek a “compromise,” will likely be a futile exercise.
Observers predict that the November 22 meeting will only result in a vague promise of no eviction, offering little relief to Munambam residents. They remain firm in their demand for the land to be recognized as their private property and for the restoration of their revenue rights. Thalasserry Archbishop Mar Pablani has echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for the people’s rightful claims to be acknowledged.
The controversy surrounding Munambam escalated further when Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje, addressing the protesters on Thursday, condemned the Waqf Board’s actions, calling it a form of “land jihad.” Minister Karandlaje expressed concern over the Waqf Amendment of 1995, which allows properties to be designated as Waqf, making such declarations unchallenged even in court. She criticized the lack of foresight from lawmakers when the law was passed, stating it has led to the loss of land for innocent property buyers.
വഖഫിൻ്റെ അമിതാധികാരങ്ങൾ മൂലം കുടിയിറക്കൽ ഭീഷണി നേരിടുന്ന മുനമ്പത്തെത്തി കേന്ദ്ര മന്ത്രി ശ്രീമതി. ശോഭ കരന്തലജെ. സമരമുഖത്തെത്തി വഖഫ് അധിനിവേശത്തിനിരയായവരുമായി സംവദിച്ച മന്ത്രി, വഖഫ് ഭേദഗതി ബിൽ പാസ്സ് ആക്കി, മുനമ്പത്തുകാരുടെ ദുരിതങ്ങൾ അവസാനിപ്പിക്കുമെന്ന് ഉറപ്പു നൽകുകയും ചെയ്തു. pic.twitter.com/aP0q8InRTT
— BJP KERALAM (@BJP4Keralam) November 14, 2024
“The law is being used as a tool to take away the hard-earned land of the common man,” said Karandlaje, while questioning the rapid expansion of Waqf properties from 10,000 acres in 1954 to an alarming 38 lakh acres today. The Union Minister also highlighted the Waqf Board’s growing influence, which extends to church lands, Hindu temples, and agricultural lands across various regions, including Karnataka.
The government’s response has been underwhelming, with only a meeting scheduled for November 22, which the locals fear will result in little more than a statement to avoid eviction, without addressing the core issue of land rights.
Adding to the frustration, reports from Chavakkad and Chellanam indicate that several families have already received notices from the Waqf Board, with more potential land grabs looming in the future.
In a show of support for the Munambam residents, Minister Karandlaje led a protest march organized by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) against the “Waqf terror” in the area. The Minister has vowed to raise the issue before the Joint Parliamentary Committee, promising to push for a resolution through the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Local leaders, including Bishop Paul Antony Mullasseri and Fr. Antony Xavier, joined Karandlaje in visiting the victims’ homes, offering them support and a sense of hope that the issue may soon be resolved. However, with the state’s ministers largely absent from the situation, the local community remains wary and determined to fight for their rights.
Kerala: Church leads statewide protests to support Munambam, challenges Waqf authority https://t.co/1NZF1UkKIX
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) November 12, 2024
As the stakes continue to rise, the conflict over Munambam’s land is becoming a significant flashpoint, highlighting broader concerns over land ownership, religious interference, and the potential for legal reform in the face of growing Waqf claims.
