Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi

Kochi, Nov 12: Widespread protests have erupted in Munambam, Ernakulam, following the Waqf Board's claim to 404 acres of land that houses over 600 families, predominantly Christian. The dispute intensified on Sunday as the Syro-Malabar Church led solidarity events across 1,000 churches throughout Kerala, with the All Kerala Catholic Congress spearheading the movement.

Churches held special prayers post-Mass to express support for the families affected by the land claim. Residents of Cherai and Munambam allege that despite holding valid registered land deeds and proof of tax payments, the Waqf Board is unjustly asserting ownership over their properties.

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil of the Syro-Malabar Church urged the state and central governments to take immediate action to resolve the crisis. “This is a humanitarian issue that must be addressed democratically and in line with constitutional principles,” Archbishop Thattil said during his visit to the hunger strike participants in Munambam on Saturday.

Archbishop Dr Joseph Kalathiparambil of the Varapuzha Latin Archdiocese also called for a compassionate and just approach from the authorities, affirming that the disputed land does not belong to the Waqf Board. His comments followed discussions between the Varapuzha Archdiocese and government officials.

The Syro-Malabar Church's intervention reflects growing concern among Kerala’s Christian community, particularly in response to the LDF and UDF's opposition to the BJP-led Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

On Sunday, Minister for Waqf and Haj Pilgrimage V. Abdurahiman assured that the government would not displace anyone in Munambam. He stressed that the issue should not be framed as communal, promising a resolution without evictions. Despite the assurance, the Munambam Bhoo Samrakshana Samiti stated they would continue their protest until a solution is reached.

The state’s UDF and CPI(M)-led LDF recently passed a joint resolution opposing the 2024 Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to moderate some of the Board’s existing powers. This move has drawn criticism from the Church, which argues that such provisions have facilitated unwarranted land claims impacting long-established Christian families in the region.

In an editorial, Deepika, a Syro-Malabar Church-affiliated publication, condemned the resolution, accusing both the UDF and LDF of neglecting the plight of the affected residents by siding with the Waqf law.

Back in September, the Syro-Malabar Church and the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council reached out to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), raising concerns over the Waqf Board’s appropriation of land owned by Christian families. Archbishop Andrews Thazath, leading the Church’s Public Affairs Commission, emphasized in the letter that these actions threatened nearly 600 families, many from the economically disadvantaged fishing community. The land claim even extends to a Catholic parish church, a convent, and a dispensary in Munambam.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, reinforced these appeals to the JPC, citing hardships experienced by the affected families since the Waqf Law's implementation in 2002.