Thiruvananthapuram witnessed high drama as BJP workers staged a protest march towards the Secretariat, demanding decisive action against the alleged illegal land claims by the Waqf Board across Kerala. The march, centered on the controversial Munambam Waqf land issue, was met with heavy resistance from the police, who deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protestors.
The protest coincides with two key events: a high-level government meeting scheduled for November 22 to address the issue and a recent meeting on November 1 between the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Christian priests. BJP leaders have raised serious concerns about the latter, questioning the legitimacy of such discussions. They argued that IUML, being part of the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), has no official standing to address the matter with the Christian Church.
Read More: Waqf board chairman’s remarks on Munambam issue deepen church-Waqf divide
Church’s Growing Frustration
Christian priests have been increasingly vocal in criticizing both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition UDF for their alleged inaction on what they term “Waqf terror.” Many senior Church leaders have expressed dismay at the political indifference to the plight of victims affected by the Waqf Board’s actions. Some have even openly supported BJP for taking a stand on the issue, highlighting the party as the sole political entity addressing these concerns.
Broader Land Disputes
The Munambam controversy is not an isolated case. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju recently spotlighted similar incidents in other parts of Kerala, particularly in Kannur and Wayanad districts. In Kannur, approximately 300 families have reportedly received eviction notices from the Waqf Board despite holding title deeds that are decades old. Victims, many of whom are from the Muslim community, have contested the Board’s claims through legal channels, emphasising the invalidity of these eviction notices.
Similarly, in Mananthavady, Wayanad district, five families have been accused of encroaching on 4.7 acres of land claimed by the Waqf Board. Notably, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, the former MP for Wayanad, and Priyanka Gandhi, a key candidate in the upcoming by-election, have remained silent on the issue, further fueling allegations of political opportunism and appeasement.
BJP’s Stand
BJP leaders have demanded swift action from the LDF government, urging it to curb the alleged overreach of the Waqf Board. They have also highlighted the absence of transparency in land disputes, calling for immediate judicial intervention to address grievances.
