Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Nirmala Sitharaman welcomed a Kerala Bishop’s support for amending the Waqf Act, calling certain provisions “unjust.” Rijiju stated that the act is not against any community and accused critics of spreading propaganda to mislead people. The debate over the amendments has sparked political and religious discussions. The issue highlights broader concerns about property rights and religious governance in India.
After the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) expressed support for the Waqf Amendment Bill proposed by the central government, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the bill is not targeted against any community, labeling the opposing views as “propaganda.”
Rijiju stated on X,
“This act is not against any community – that is propaganda being spread to poison minds of some.”
He appreciated the KCBC’s appeal to Kerala MPs to back the bill, stressing his dual role as a minister and member of a minority community.
In his response to the KCBC’s support, Rijiju remarked on the responsibility of politicians to address the challenges faced by their constituents, particularly highlighting the plight of numerous families in Munambam, Kerala, who are struggling to protect their properties.
He asserted,
“It is the duty of those in politics to care for and address problems and challenges faced by our people.”
Rijiju assured that the central government remains committed to safeguarding the rights of all citizens and called for Kerala MPs to support the Waqf Amendment Bill.
He added,
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our government strive to protect the rights of every Indian citizen and will continue to do so. I sincerely hope all Kerala MPs will support this Bill in the interest of all people and not sacrifice the interest of people for petty appeasement politics,”
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also endorsed the KCBC’s backing of the Waqf bill, describing it as a “welcome step.”
She noted that the KCBC’s call aims to amend sections deemed “unfair” and “anti-constitutional” in the current Waqf Act.
These responses follow the KCBC’s appeal for MPs to support amendments to provisions in the Waqf Act that they consider “unconstitutional” and “unjust.”
Fr. Thomas Tharayil from the KCBC secretariat stated that certain provisions in the Waqf law legitimize “illegal claims,” preventing residents of Munambam from asserting their rights over the land.
He mentioned that the management of Farooq College, which sold land to Munambam residents, claims that the land was received as a gift.
The KCBC plans to send letters to all MPs urging them to support the amendment of the Waqf bill. Approximately 610 families from Munambam, a coastal village in Ernakulam district, have been protesting against the Waqf Board’s claim on their land.
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