Key Points
610 Munambam families protest Waqf Board land claim
Bill passed in Lok Sabha with 288 votes
KCBC appealed to Kerala MPs for support
Waqf Amendment aims to improve property management
He also expressed regrets for MPs from Kerala not heeding to the KCBC's appeal that they support such clauses in the Bill that solve issues like Munambam.
"When Waqf Amendment Bill becomes a law, only then we can see how much it helps the people of Munambam and likewise cases. KCBC had sent out an appeal to the MPs of Kerala requesting them to support the amendment when it comes to the Parliament. Unfortunately, they did not do so and voted against it," Father Thomas Tharayil told ANI.
"We had not asked to support the bill in its entirety but to support the clauses that cause issues like the Munambam issue... We are thankful that now the bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha and hope that when it becomes a law, it will give consolation to the people of Munambam," he added.
Around 610 families of Munambam, a coastal village in the Ernakulam district, have been protesting against the claim by the Waqf Board on their land.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate. During this debate, members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation, while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the division's result. "Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," he said.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.
Comments:
Sarah R.
2 hours ago
This is such a complex issue with real people's lives at stake. I hope the new law brings fair solutions for both sides. The Munambam residents deserve justice after living there for generations. 🙏
Arjun M.
1 hour ago
While I understand Father Tharayil's concerns, I wish religious institutions would stay out of land disputes. This should be handled purely through legal channels without religious influence.
Priya K.
45 minutes ago
610 families potentially displaced is heartbreaking 💔 The government needs to ensure proper rehabilitation if any eviction happens. These are real people with homes, livelihoods, and memories tied to that land.
Raj P.
30 minutes ago
Interesting to see how this played out politically with INDIA bloc vs BJP. Regardless of politics, hope the amendment actually improves Waqf board transparency as claimed. The midnight voting session shows how contentious this was!
Lina T.
15 minutes ago
The KCBC's position seems reasonable - supporting specific clauses rather than the whole bill. Shame the MPs didn't listen. This could have been handled better with more dialogue between all parties involved.
