Kochi, Kerala – The ongoing protests regarding the Waqf land claims in Munambam, Ernakulam district, have reached a boiling point, with the influential Syro-Malabar Church rallying support across 1,000 churches in the state. On Sunday, under the leadership of the All Kerala Catholic Congress, the Church organized solidarity events to back residents protesting the contested land dispute. Residents of the villages of Cherai and Munambam allege that the Waqf Board is unlawfully asserting claims over their lands and properties, despite holding registered deeds and tax payment receipts. In response to the escalating tensions, Major Archbishop Raphel Thattil has called on both Union and State governments to intervene, labeling the situation a humanitarian crisis that necessitates a resolution in accordance with the Constitution.
"This is a humanitarian issue and must be addressed in a humane, democratic way," Archbishop Thattil stated after visiting protestors on hunger strike in Munambam. His sentiments were echoed by Archbishop Dr. Joseph Kalathiparampil of the Varapuzha Latin Archdiocese, who urged the governments to take a moral stance on the Waqf land dispute, asserting that the contested land is not Waqf property. The protests come amid rising discontent among the Christian community over the recent opposition by both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) to the BJP-led Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Critics argue that the bill threatens to undermine existing property rights, with the Church claiming that many properties belonging to Christian families for generations have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board.
In the wake of these developments, V Abdurahiman, the Minister for Waqf and Haj Pilgrimage, reassured the public that the government has no plans to evict residents from Munambam. "The government will resolve the issue and has no plans to evict anyone," he told reporters, urging that the matter should not be framed as a communal issue. Despite the Minister's reassurances, members of the Munambam Bhoo Samrakshana Samiti have vowed to continue their protests “to any extent necessary” until the issue is resolved. Their determination underscores the urgent need for dialogue and resolution amid the growing tensions surrounding the Waqf land claims, as both the Church and the local community seek justice and clarity in a matter that has generated significant unrest in the region.