Catholic Bishops Conference of India CBCI has said that certain provisions in the existing Central Waqf Act are inconsistent with the Constitution and the Waqf Board in Kerala has invoked these provisions to declare the ancestral residential properties of more than 600 families in the Munambam region as Waqf land. In a statement released today, CBCI said that over the past three years, this issue has escalated into a complex legal dispute. It added that only a legal amendment can provide a permanent solution, and this must be recognized by the people’s representatives. It added that Waqf Amendment Bill should provide a permanent solution to land issues including Munambam in Kerala. CBCI has urged political parties and legislators to adopt an unbiased and constructive approach to this issue and the rightful ownership of land must be fully restored to the people of Munambam. It said, any provisions or laws that contradict the principles of the Indian Constitution must be amended and at the same time, the rights of religious minorities, as guaranteed by the Constitution, must be safeguarded.

In a social media post, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiu said that CBCI has appealed to the political parties to support the Waqf Amendment Bill. He added that it is the duty of those in politics to care for and address problems and challenges faced by the people of the country. He said, for example hundreds of families in Munambam in Kerala and countless people across India have suffered and continue to seek a solution to protect their properties and homes.