The residents, predominantly Christians, at the disputed 400-acre land in Munambam, located in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, were in jubilation at the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in both houses of Parliament, as they believe their long-standing demand that they will be granted revenue rights on the land claimed by the Kerala Waqf Board will be fulfilled.
Shouting slogans like “Narendra Modi Zindabad”, the protesters expressed hope that the issue would be resolved once the new law is enacted.
Nearly 600 families, predominantly Christians, have been protesting against the Waqf Board’s claim over the land they have inhabited for generations, and the passage of the Bill has been met with celebrations, amid scepticism raised by opposition parties over whether the passed Waqf Bill could resolve their issues, since it has no provision for retrospection on already registered lands.
However, the BJP, which has been eyeing the Christian votes in Kerala, has been giving ground support to the protest of the Munambam residents, effectively making it a communal issue, with Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar hailing it as a 'landmark step' that upholds the constitutional right to property for all citizens, while criticising the CPI(M) and the Congress for opposing it.
Accusing the Opposition of engaging in appeasement politics, Chandrasekhar stated in a social media post that the debate in Parliament had exposed the CPI(M) and Congress’s lack of intent in addressing the grievances of Munambam residents, and he asserted that the Bill was a necessary step towards protecting the property rights of the people who have been fighting for their land for decades.
The passage of the Bill led to jubilant celebrations in Munambam, where residents burst crackers and expressed hope that their long-standing issues would be resolved, and one of the protest leaders, Joseph Benny, stated that while the Bill was a step forward, the agitation would continue until revenue rights over the land were restored, and he emphasised that it was now the duty of the Kerala government to ensure the law’s implementation.
However, scepticism persists among the CPI(M) and the Congress, who have questioned the efficacy of the Bill in resolving the Munambam land dispute, and Kerala Law Minister P Rajeeve pointed out that the legislation does not have retrospective effect, making it unclear how existing cases, such as Munambam, would be addressed, while he accused the BJP of exploiting the issue for political gains.
Congress leader and Opposition leader V D Satheesan also dismissed claims that the Bill would provide a resolution, arguing that the land in question is not Waqf property, and he insisted that the issue falls under the state government’s jurisdiction, adding that certain forces were attempting to create a rift between two minority communities, while the CPI(M) government, in his view, was playing into the hands of those seeking to polarise society.
Despite the political debate, the people of Munambam, who have been engaged in a relay hunger strike for 173 days under the banner of ‘Munambam Bhoo Samrakshana Samithi,’ expressed their support for the Bill’s passage, and slogans in praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were raised by the protesters, who claimed that the opposition parties had failed to represent their concerns in Parliament.
Joseph Benny, the convenor of the Samithi, voiced disappointment over the stance taken by the Congress and Left MPs from Kerala, arguing that their reluctance to advocate for the Munambam residents’ rights had caused distress among the community, and he expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for their support in pushing the Bill forward.
Meanwhile, the Syro-Malabar Church welcomed the Bill and said it brings relief to the people of Munambam, though spokesperson Fr Antony Vadakkekara clarified that the Church’s position should not be viewed as an endorsement of any political party, and he asserted that the existing Waqf Act contradicted the Indian Constitution, making its amendment a necessary correction.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), an influential body of the Catholic Church in the state, also expressed disappointment over the opposition from Kerala’s elected representatives, and KCBC spokesperson Fr Thomas Tharayil stated that despite urging them to support the Bill for the benefit of Munambam residents, they had failed to heed the plea, although he maintained that the KCBC would not engage in political positioning on the matter.
In a statement, KCBC President Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos had earlier urged lawmakers to support amendments to the “unconstitutional and unjust provisions” of the Waqf Bill, and he insisted that denying Munambam residents their rightful revenue from the land they legally own and occupy must be rectified, though opposition members rejected all proposed amendments and the Bill was eventually passed with 288 votes in favour and 232 against.
As the political tussle continues, residents of Munambam remain hopeful that the Waqf Board’s claim over their land will be nullified once the amendment becomes law, but concerns persist over how the state government will implement the legislation, and in villages such as Cherai and Munambam, landowners allege that the Waqf Board is asserting ownership over their properties despite registered deeds and tax payment receipts.