Residents of Munambam village in Ernakulam district have intensified protests against the Kerala Waqf Board’s claim over 404 acres of land. The land, home to around 610 families, primarily Christian, has been claimed by the Waqf Board, preventing residents from paying land taxes and obtaining possession certificates. This claim has severely impacted the villagers’ property rights, preventing sales, mortgages, and official documentation.
In a significant show of solidarity, the Syro-Malabar Church held special prayers across 1,000 churches, supporting the affected families. Protesters also met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday, urging him to secure their rights. The government has called a high-level meeting on November 22, post the ongoing by-elections, to address the concerns.
The roots of the dispute trace back to a 2022 court order preventing villagers from paying land tax, based on a claim by the Waqf Board. Locals argue that they had legally acquired the land from Farook College, which had received it from Siddique Sait for educational purposes in 1950.
While the Kerala government has assured villagers that no evictions will occur, the issue remains politically charged. The influential Catholic community’s opposition has attracted the BJP’s support, with Union Minister Suresh Gopi promising resolutions through the Waqf Amendment Bill.
