SNDP Yogam General Secretary and prominent Hindu leader Vellappally Natesan’s recent remarks about Malappuram have triggered widespread debate across Kerala. His statements come at a time when the state is witnessing growing protests over the Waqf Board’s controversial land claims in Munambam, Ernakulam. Speaking at a public meeting in Chungathara in Malappuram, Natesan said, “Malappuram is a special country, a state of special people,” in reference to the district’s Muslim majority. He claimed that non-Muslims in Malappuram live in fear and are unable to express their opinions freely. He also questioned whether the backward Hindu communities in the region have received any meaningful benefit from Bharat’s independence. “The tragedy is that Hindus do not stand together,” Natesan added, suggesting internal divisions have led to marginalization. According to the 2011 Census, Malappuram has over 4.1 million residents, with 70.24 per cent Muslims, 27.6 per cent Hindus and the remaining Christians and others. His remarks have reignited discussions about communal dynamics, minority dominance, and political representation in the state.
Waqf Amendments Shields Munambam, BJP Stand Guard Over Kerala
Simultaneously, the Munambam region in Ernakulam was experiencing intense unrest over a major land dispute involving the Kerala State Waqf Board. The board has laid claim to approximately 404 acres of land, which has been home to over 600 Hindu and Christian families for generations. These families allege the land is rightfully theirs and accuse the board of overreach. The issue has sparked statewide protests, drawing the attention of political parties and civil society. However, the residents of Munambam got a sense of relief after the Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Act. The amended law is seen as a protective measure that prevents arbitrary land claims and offers legal clarity to communities that have long-held rights over disputed properties. Protesters and the whole of Kerala have welcomed the change, seeing it as a major step toward justice.
However, In a politically significant move, 50 residents of Munambam officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a ceremony attended by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. BJP leaders promised their full support to protect the land rights of Munambam residents, strongly criticizing what they termed as “unjust encroachments” by the Waqf Board. The BJP also framed the Waqf Amendment Bill as a step to prevent forced evictions and secure legal clarity for residents.
Congress Faces Credibility Crisis In Kerala
Amidst the growing unrest over the Waqf Amendment Bill, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted a tweet warning that the legislation, which currently affects Muslims, could soon be weaponized against Christians. “It didn’t take long for the RSS to turn its attention to Christians,” he said, framing the bill as a broader threat to religious freedom. However, his remarks have drawn sharp criticism and sparked accusations of political double standards. Despite expressing concern, neither Rahul Gandhi nor Priyanka Gandhi Vadra participated in the parliamentary debate, nor were they present for the voting on the bill. Both leaders also refrained from visiting Munambam to engage with the hundreds of Hindu and Christian families affected by the land dispute. Critics argue that the Congress leadership’s absence at crucial moments amounts to political posturing rather than principled action. Adding fuel to the fire, on March 31, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) publicly appealed to all Lok Sabha MPs from Kerala to support the Waqf Amendment Bill, urging an “unbiased and constructive approach.” The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) had earlier made a similar plea, asking MPs to vote in favour of the bill. This appeal was particularly significant given Kerala’s large Christian population of approximately 6.5 million, constituting 19per cent of the state’s residents. Among them, Catholics—comprising the Syro-Malabar Church, Latin Church, and Syro-Malankara Church—make up over 60 per cent of the Christian community.
Despite the strong backing from the Church, Congress and UDF MPs refused to support the bill. In a particularly striking move, Congress MP from Ernakulam, Hibi Eden, termed the Waqf Amendment as “unconstitutional,” directly contradicting the appeal from his own community’s spiritual leadership. This disconnect between Congress leaders and their voter base has intensified the party’s credibility crisis in Kerala. Rahul’s tweet, issued after the fact, is widely seen as an attempt to polarize sentiment post-facto rather than take a meaningful stand when it mattered most. Furthermore, the absence of both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi from the Ayodhya Pran Pratishtha ceremony, combined with their silence during the Waqf Bill’s parliamentary journey, has deepened public confusion about the party’s ideological stance. As Kerala’s political climate heats up, these inconsistencies raise serious questions: What message is Congress trying to convey, and what values and for whom does it truly stand?
