Kochi: The Munambam Land Protection Council on Monday expressed relief that the Supreme Court’s interim order staying several provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 will not impact their ongoing land dispute. While the ruling has stirred political reactions across Kerala, residents of Munambam were primarily concerned with whether their case—centred around land purchased from a registered trust—would fall under the Act’s purview. With Section 2(a) left untouched, the council said their protest remains unaffected.

What’s Section 2(a) and why does it matter in Munambam land case?

This clause clarifies that the amended Waqf Act does not apply to trusts established by Muslims for purposes similar to a Waqf. Protesters argue that their land—purchased from Farook College, a registered trust—is therefore exempt from Waqf classification.

“We are relieved that Section 2(a) has not been stayed. Now the government can proceed further to resolve our issues,” said Joseph Benny, a member of the council.

The council convened a meeting on Monday to evaluate the implications of the court’s order and strategise next steps. Members urged the state government to expedite its procedures, especially since the commission led by Justice C N Ramchandran Nair has already submitted its report.

“Now that the legal uncertainty has been resolved, the state government should speed up its procedures,” a council member said.

What’s the Munambam land dispute about?

Over 600 families in Munambam, a coastal village in Ernakulam district, have been affected by the dispute over 404 acres of land claimed as Waqf property. Residents have been staging a relay protest for over 300 days, demanding resolution.

While political parties and the state government have voiced support, the matter remains under review by the Waqf Tribunal.

Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a setback for the Centre. In a Facebook post, the party noted that its national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty was among the petitioners.

“The Supreme Court has dealt a blow to the Central Government regarding the Waqf Amendment Act,” the post read.

IUML MP E T Mohammed Basheer called the ruling a welcome move, though not a complete resolution.

“With the amendment, the Central Government's intention was to grab properties worth several crores of rupees. The community concerned is the custodian of Waqf property,” he said.

He also highlighted that this was the first time the apex court, in an interim order, had put so many provisions of a law passed by Parliament on hold.

IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal also welcomed the verdict, stating that the apex court had acknowledged the concerns raised by the party and others.

PTI