The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has issued a strong statement on March 31, calling for an amendment to the Central Waqf Act, highlighting its inconsistencies with the Constitution and secular democratic values . The statement, released following a press note from the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), underscores the growing concerns over the Waqf Board’s claims on ancestral properties, particularly in Munambam, Kerala.
The Munambam dispute, involving over 600 families, has intensified over the past three years, as the Waqf Board has invoked existing provisions to classify their ancestral residential properties as Waqf land. CBCI has urged political parties and lawmakers to take an unbiased and constructive approach to the Waqf Amendment Bill, set to be introduced in Parliament, stressing that only a legal amendment can provide a lasting solution to such conflicts.
Kerala: Munambam Judicial Commission meets waqf victims, hunger strike crosses 80 days
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“The rightful ownership of land must be fully restored to the people of Munambam. Any provisions or laws that contradict the principles of the Indian Constitution must be amended,” the CBCI stated. At the same time, it reaffirmed the importance of protecting the constitutional rights of religious minorities while ensuring that no unjust claims on private or church-owned properties go unchallenged.
With the Church leadership now openly calling for legislative intervention, the issue is expected to gain national attention, putting pressure on MPs from —especially from the Congress and Kerala MP’s—to take a clear stance on the increasing influence of the Waqf Board over land disputes.
The Munambam Waqf case centers around a land dispute in the coastal area of Munambam, Ernakulam district, where nearly 600 families face the threat of displacement. Over 400 of these families are Christian, with the remainder being Hindu. The residents have been on a relay hunger strike for weeks. Prominent Church leaders and bishops and BJP leaders visited the protest site, expressing solidarity and pledging to fight for justice on behalf of the affected community.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (C.B.C.I.) is the permanent association of the Catholic Hierarchy of India, established to facilitate collective action on matters impacting or potentially affecting the common interests of the Catholic Church in the country.
