Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju promised that incidents like Munambam will not happen again after the Waqf Amendment Act. He emphasized the importance of land ownership and clarified that the amendments are meant to protect rightful landowners without targeting any community.Key Takeaways
- Kiren Rijiju assures no future incidents like Munambam
- New Waqf Amendment Act protects land ownership
- Legislation aims to prevent arbitrary land claims
- Focus on justice for affected families
- Changes to Waqf Board regulations implemented
Kochi, April 15 (NationPress) Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday assured that incidents similar to Munambam will not reoccur in the nation following the enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
“I have arrived here to address a crucial and sensitive matter. Land is the most valuable asset for us. Losing your land means losing everything. Therefore, we believe that in India, there should not be any provision allowing anyone to forcibly and unilaterally take away someone’s land. We must legislate to safeguard every inch of land for its rightful owner. We introduced amendments to this law as previously it granted unprecedented powers to the Waqf,” the Union Minister stated during a press conference that lasted over an hour.
He emphasized that there is a narrative suggesting the Central government is against Muslims, which is inaccurate, asserting that the BJP government is rectifying historical mistakes and delivering justice to the people.
Rijiju was in the commercial hub of Kerala, Kochi, to inaugurate the BJP-led NDA’s ‘Thank You Modi’ event at Munambam, expressing gratitude to PM Modi and the Centre for the Waqf Act that was passed in both houses of parliament earlier this month.
The Munambam land dispute involves the Kerala State Waqf Board claiming ownership of approximately 404 acres of land.
This land houses over 600 families, primarily Christians from the Latin Catholic community and Hindus from marginalized communities, who assert they have resided there for decades and lawfully purchased the land from Farook College.
Farook College, which previously managed the land, confirmed it received the property as a gift and later sold it. Nevertheless, the Waqf Board has contested the ownership, citing provisions in the current Waqf Act.
The Union Minister clarified that the amendments were essential as specific provisions in the Waqf Bill had conferred extraordinary power and authority to the Waqf Boards.
“Unprecedented powers and authority were conferred to the Waqf Boards. They could declare any property as Waqf. Hence, we believed we should deliver justice to thousands of individuals who lost their land. This is not directed at Muslims; it’s solely to provide justice. India possesses the largest Waqf property globally, yet the majority of Muslims do not benefit from it. This does not target any specific community,” he stated.
He noted that the Munambam case came to the government’s attention when BJP leaders in Kerala raised it.
“I was profoundly disturbed when I learned that these 600 families who paid for the land faced the prospect of losing it. Moving forward, there will be no arbitrary declarations of any property as Waqf,” he assured.
The minister added that the survey commissioner has been replaced with the district collector, noting that from 2013 to 2025, more than 1.8 million properties have been claimed.
“As a responsible government, we enacted this law, and in the future, we will not witness a case akin to Munambam. We have eliminated a provision that allowed anyone to orally claim a property was a site for Nimaz, which could lead to Waqf takeover. From now on, any property designated as Waqf must have a deed and a registered document,” he explained.
He mentioned that any property under dispute or currently in court cannot be classified as Waqf property, and the court will make the final decision, with property verification being carried out by the district collector.
“Previously, survey commissioners handled this, but they had their interests, whereas a collector is a revenue official without political affiliation,” he stated.
The minister also revealed that the government added a new requirement in the law that a person must be a practicing Muslim for five years to establish a Waqf.
“Prior to this, there were no checks and balances in the law. Now, if a property is owned by a Muslim, it can be declared Waqf. In case of issues with the Tribunals, one can file a petition in the High Court. We have also revised the composition of the Waqf Boards and tribunals. Non-Muslims can now be members, although the majority will still be Muslims,” he noted.
The Union Minister urged the Congress and Left MPs to cooperate, stating, “However, they are very difficult individuals and tend to twist facts as they engage in vote bank politics.”
He added that, soon, the district collector will need to re-evaluate the entire Munambam case, and the Kerala government must extend its support.
Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League announced plans to lead a protest against the new Waqf Act. “We will protest against the Act alongside like-minded parties,” declared IUML General Secretary P.M.A. Salam.
