Munambam: Offering his full support in the Waqf land row in Munambam coastal belt in the outskirts of Ernakulam, BJP leader and Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi lambasted both the Congress-led UDF and the ruling Left front of playing the vote-bank politics on the issue and grossly ignoring the matter. He said that the people of Munambam should not ‘entertain’ such politicians to the region when they seek votes during elections.
“It is shameful that no people’s representatives have come to meet them and offer their help. However, that’s not me. I stand by you and will do my best to get the Waqf Act amendment bill passed,” the actor-turned-politician said, after visiting the agitators who are protesting against the Waqf claims on their land at Munambam at Vypeen in Ernakulam district. The agitation is held under the aegis of the Munambam Land protection committee.
610 families in two wards spanning up to 114 acres are facing a big problem after the Waqf Board included their lands in the latter’s assets records. The pending cases in the courts also have added to the misery since they are unable to sell or mortgage their lands to raise money for marriage, children’s education or to construct houses. The land belongs to the ordinary fisherfolk. While a large majority of the people belong to the Latin Catholic community, about 200 affected families belong to Ezhava, Dheevara and Kudumbi communities.
Speaking to the agitators, Suresh Gopi said, “I see your tears. You are crying tears of blood. These tears won’t go unnoticed. The so-called people’s representatives are not sincere. They are into vote bank politics.”
“I never go anywhere uninvited. Since you asked me, I decided to come and I will be bringing your plight to the notice of the Central Government,” said Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi in his signature style.
KCBC, SNDP offers support to the protesting families
In Kerala, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Kerala and the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, have sent letters to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on August 8 requesting suggestions to amend Waqf act, 1995. Surprisingly, the SNDP and other Hindu communities have also offered the support to the grieving families in Munambam coastal village.
Speaking to TV9 Fr Antony Tharayil said, “The minister of state was very much sympathetic to our problem. He assured that he would do his best to get the Waqf amendment bill passed as soon as possible.” According to Fr Tharayil, the agitators urged the minister of state to ensure that the amendment of the Waqf Act is made applicable from 1995 onwards.
“As of now, around 45,000 cases related to Waqf are pending nationwide,” Fr Tharayil added.
