BJP Makes Waqf Claims An Issue In Kerala By-Polls, Suresh Gopi Promises Passing Amendment Bill In Parliament

The debate over 400 acres of land at Munambam near Kochi has taken center stage in Kerala's by-polls, with BJP leader and Union Minister Suresh Gopi announcing on Saturday (9 November) that the Waqf Amendment Bill will be passed in Parliament.

During a BJP campaign event in Wayanad, where Priyanka Gandhi is the Congress candidate, Gopi described Waqf as "a brutality contained within four English letters." He referenced the Kerala Waqf Board's claim to 400 acres of land in Munambam, which is currently occupied by around 600 families, primarily Christians.

"It’s not at Munambam alone… This brutality will be suppressed in India… There would be harsh decisions. To uphold the true Constitution, this Bill (Waqf Bill) will be passed in the Parliament," he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

The Waqf Board's claim over the Munambam land has become a focal issue just days before the Kerala by-elections for three seats: Wayanad (parliamentary), and Chelakkara and Palakkad (assembly).

BJP state president B Gopalakrishnan echoed similar sentiments. He raised concerns about religious sites, saying what if the Sabarimala temple becomes Waqf property, 'Will (Lord) Ayyappa have to vacate? Should we allow this?'

"Velankanni Christian shrine (in Tamil Nadu) is important for Christians. If Waqf claims a stake over the land, the shrine will go to the board. We have brought the bill against that," he said adding that the LDF and UDF in Kerala have passed a resolution in the assembly against this bill.

"If you don’t want to see Sabarimala and Velankanni going to Waqf, vote for BJP," he said aiming to galvanise support for the BJP amid protests by hundreds of families over Waqf Board's land claim.

The land’s current residents say they purchased it from Farook College, the previous owner, around three decades ago. This issue is also viewed as a way for the Sangh Parivar to connect with Kerala’s Christian community.

This controversy follows two recent bills introduced by the Centre, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which aim to limit Waqf board powers over land.

Though Munambam is outside the by-election areas, the BJP has leveraged the issue, with its Palakkad candidate C Krishna Kumar set to visit Munambam to show support for the protesters. The BJP has also raised the topic in corner meetings, underscoring the Kerala Assembly's recent resolution against the Centre’s Waqf Bill.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, facing pressure, stated on Thursday that his government supports the long-time residents of Munambam. "Those using this issue against the government should know that it will be short-lived. Don’t think that Munambam residents can be misled," he said in Wayanad.

Meanwhile, BJP state president K Surendran claimed Saturday that "more instances of Waqf encroachment" were emerging.