Will temporarily protect land owners, Kerala HC on Munambam Waqf land dispute

Kochi: Amid growing tensions over the Munambam land dispute between the Waqf Board and those claiming ownership, the Kerala High Court announced on Tuesday that it would issue an interim order halting the dispossession notices issued to landowners.

A division bench consisting of Justices Amit Rawal and KV Jayakumar observed that since the case primarily involves a land dispute, the landowners should pursue a civil suit. The court made these remarks while considering a petition filed by the landowners challenging various provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995.

In the coastal village of Munambam, in Ernakulam district, residents have alleged that the Waqf Board was unlawfully claiming their land and properties, despite the people holding registered deeds and land tax payment receipts.

Though the CPM-led LDF government appointed a judicial commission as part of its efforts to resolve the issue, the local people are continuing their strike in Munambam.

Recently, both fronts unanimously passed a resolution in the Assembly opposing the BJP-led Centre's Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which challenges certain provisions in the existing Waqf law.

In support of the Bill, the influential Syro-Malabar Church has alleged that numerous properties belonging to Christian families for generations in the villages of Cherai and Munambam in Ernakulam district have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board, utilising provisions in the existing Act.