Kochi: The ongoing protests in Munambam in Kerala's Ernakulam district over the Waqf land claim have intensified, with the influential Syro-Malabar Church organising solidarity events across 1,000 churches in the state.

The protests have gained further traction after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday revealed that the Waqf Board is not only laying claim to lands in Munambam but is also now seeking ownership of significant portions of Thaliparamba town in Kannur, including 600 acres in the city centre. 

Rijiju also slammed the Congress, which has opposed the amendments brought by the Union Government to amend the Waqf Act, urging it to 'stop treating Muslims as a vote bank and work for every community.

As the issue has emerged as a major topic in the campaign for the bypolls to the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and the Chelakkara and Palakkad Assembly segments, the Congress on Monday attacked both the Left and the BJP, accusing them of fishing in troubled waters.

Referring to media reports regarding the ongoing protest in the state by residents backed by influential Catholic Church against Waqf bill, the Union Minister said, "Now, I hope good sense will prevail on Shri Rahul Gandhi and listen to the appeals of the Christian Community. Congress Party should stop treating Muslims as vote bank and work for every community."

The BJP leader's reaction comes amidst growing resentment among a significant portion of the Christian population in the state regarding the ruling LDF and UDF's stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

In a post shared on X, Rijiji wrote, "I have received the representation of the Munambam land case in Kerala. After claiming the lands from nearly 600 Christian families in Munamban, the Waqf is now claiming ownership of Thaliparamba town in Kannur, including 600 acres in the city centre. I've assured of full justice."

The Congress-led UDF and the CPM-led LDF recently passed a unanimous resolution in the state assembly opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which challenges provisions in the existing Waqf law.

In opposition to the bill, the Church has alleged that numerous properties belonging to Christian families for generations in Cherai and Munambam have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board using provisions of the existing Act. The residents have alleged that the Waqf Board unlawfully made claims to their land and properties, despite the people having registered deeds and land tax payment receipts.

Recently, Deepika, a daily newspaper backed by the Syro-Malabar Church, published an editorial criticising the Congress-led UDF and the CPM-led LDF, accusing them of passing the unanimous resolution in the state Assembly "to protect the Waqf law without seeing the tears of the affected people."