Kerala BJP President Meets KCBC Leader Ahead of Waqf Bill Presentation
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Synopsis
On the eve of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill's presentation in the Lok Sabha, Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar met with KCBC President Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, who supports the Bill. Chandrasekhar encourages Kerala MPs to back the measure, emphasizing its purpose to resolve the Munambam issue.
Key Takeaways
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar meets the KCBC President.
- The Waqf Bill is set for tabling in the Lok Sabha.
- Chandrasekhar calls for unity among Kerala MPs.
- The Munambam land dispute is a key focus of the Bill.
- Support for the Bill is urged to avoid endorsing religious fundamentalism.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 1 (NationPress) On the brink of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill being presented in the Lok Sabha, the newly-elected Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar visited the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) President, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, who has expressed support for the initiative.
Chandrasekhar was appointed as the new head of the state BJP on March 24, and the meeting was labeled as a courtesy visit to the well-regarded Cardinal, whose church headquarters is situated in the city center.
Upon his arrival at the Cardinal's headquarters, he was welcomed warmly. Speaking to the media post-meeting, Chandrasekhar urged all Kerala MPs to lend their support to the Bill being presented on Wednesday. He stated, “This is not directed against any specific community; it aims to address the ongoing Munambam issue as well.”
In a recent collaborative statement, KCBC President, Vice-President Bishop Pauly Kannookadan, and Secretary-General Bishop Alex Vadakumthala encouraged the state's MPs to align with the populace and vote in favor of modifying what they termed as “unconstitutional and unjust” aspects of the current Waqf legislation.
The KCBC specifically pointed out the Munambam land dispute, where the Kerala State Waqf Board claims ownership of around 404 acres of land.
This land accommodates over 600 families – mainly Christians from the Latin Catholic community and Hindus from marginalized groups – who assert their long-term residence and legal acquisition from Farook College.
On Tuesday, the Catholic Church's organ urged all Kerala MPs to ensure their support for the Bill, warning that failure to do so would brand them in history as endorsing religious fundamentalism.
Interestingly, the only CPI-M MP from Kerala in the Lok Sabha, K. Radhakrishnan, will be absent on Wednesday as he is attending the 24th CPI-M Party Congress.
