Kerala Congress (M) leaders speak out against Left's Waqf Land claims

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's ruling Left coalition is facing internal conflict regarding the Waqf land issue, as some leaders from the Kerala Congress (M), a crucial ally in the LDF, have labeled the current law as ‘immoral’ and are challenging the Left's stance on the matter.

The state general secretary of Kerala Congress (M), K. N Ananda Kumar, stated that around 600 families in Cherai and Munambam villages in Ernakulam district are struggling to defend their properties against what they claim are unlawful assertions by the Waqf Board.

While the CPI(M) has not made an official statement on the matter, members of the Kerala Congress (M) have begun to publicly support protests in Cherai and Munambam against the Waqf Board's land claims, according to party sources. These protests are being organized by the Catholic Church, which has historically supported Kerala Congress (M) and is led by Rajya Sabha MP Jose K. Mani.

A party leader stated that there were no instructions from the party prohibiting participation in the protests in Munambam and Cherai, demonstrating support for the affected residents.

The Left front is in a challenging position, having passed a unanimous resolution in the state assembly, along with the UDF, opposing the BJP-led Central government's Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, which challenges aspects of the existing Waqf law.

The Catholic Church, influential in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency where a by-election is being held, has echoed the sentiments expressed by Kumar in his statement. He asserted that people should not be compelled to approach a Waqf tribunal to protect their land and homes. And also emphasized that no government should allow residents to be evicted from properties they have purchased, registered, and paid taxes on.

Kumar further noted that no individual, irrespective of their religion or community, should remain a silent spectator to the issue, thinking it will not affect them. He called on the Waqf Board to withdraw its claims on properties in the two villages.

Earlier this week, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church-backed Deepika daily published an editorial criticizing both the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF, accusing them of passing a unanimous resolution in the state assembly “to protect the Waqf law without seeing the tears of the affected people.”

The resolution argued that the proposed Bill, currently being reviewed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, violates fundamental rights, belief rights, federalism, secularism, and democracy.

Meanwhile, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council have sent letters to the Joint Parliamentary Committee regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, advocating for changes to the Waqf Act of 1995. They urged the committee to consider the “tragic situation” faced by people in the two villages in Ernakulam district and other parts if India at risk of losing their homes due to the “totally unjust and inhumane claims” made by the Waqf Board.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was referred to the JPC on August 8, following its introduction in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. This move has faced considerable backlash from opposition parties, who contend that the Bill aims to target the Muslim community.

With PTI inputs