The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha has intensified the political battle in Kerala, with the BJP now shifting its attention to a disputed 400-acre land in Munambam, Ernakulam district. The issue, which involves around 600 Christian families resisting the Waqf Board’s claims over the land, has become a tool for the BJP to further its political agenda in the state.
While the BJP hails the Bill as a step towards securing property rights, opposition parties—the Congress and the CPI(M)—have strongly criticized the move, accusing the saffron party of stoking communal tensions. Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar called the Bill a “landmark step,” claiming it upholds constitutional property rights for all, including the Munambam residents. However, the opposition has dismissed these claims as mere political rhetoric aimed at exploiting a sensitive issue for electoral gains.
CPI(M) leader and Kerala Law Minister P Rajeeve questioned the Bill’s effectiveness, arguing that it lacks retrospective applicability. “This Bill will not impact already registered properties. The BJP is indulging in divisive politics instead of offering real solutions,” he said. Congress leader V D Satheesan echoed similar concerns, stating, “The BJP must clarify how this Bill will resolve the Munambam issue. This is not Waqf land; the state government can settle the matter. But BJP, along with the CPI(M), is deliberately trying to polarize communities.”
Following the Bill’s passage, some residents of Munambam celebrated, expressing hope that it might lead to a resolution. However, action committee chairman Joseph Benny asserted that their agitation would continue until they regain revenue rights over the land. He emphasized that the state government must now act to address their demands.
Critics argue that the BJP’s approach is part of a larger strategy to woo Kerala’s Christian community while simultaneously fueling religious divisions. With opposition parties firmly against the Bill, the controversy surrounding Munambam is likely to remain a flashpoint in Kerala’s political landscape.
