A group of concerned individuals who believe that the Waqf law reform should not be viewed as the sole solution to the issues in the Munambam area have addressed an open letter to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). They assert that such matters should be resolved through local interventions and dialogue. In their letter, they caution the CBCI that taking positions on such complex issues without thorough reflection and expert consultation could lead to serious consequences. The letter was signed by fifteen social activists, including priests, nuns, and laypeople. Similarly, several individuals—many active on social media—have been commenting on the issue without fully understanding its nuances or the process by which the Church leadership arrived at its position regarding the Waqf law amendments. Unfortunately, these narratives have contributed misinformation and have aligned with political and extreme groups that routinely criticize the Church, regardless of the facts.
The Church’s position on the Munambam Waqf land issue—affecting approximately 600 families—was not reached hastily. It is the result of prolonged discussions and studies. Notably, some of those voicing criticism and signing open letters continue to hold roles within the Church’s official structures, while others previously held prominent positions. Yet none have directly engaged with Church authorities to understand the rationale behind the official stance. As a result, the statements emerging from these individuals lack objectivity and comprehensive understanding. This raises a valid question: What is the real intent behind publishing such letters and creating a media narrative that portrays the Church’s position as rushed and unfounded?
It is essential to clarify that the Church leadership has consistently maintained that any reform of the Waqf law must align with the Indian Constitution, safeguarding minority rights and religious freedom. The Church’s advocacy is centered on preventing legal reforms that would undermine these fundamental rights. So why, then, do some individuals continue to misrepresent the Church as neglecting the very rights it actively seeks to protect?
The challenges arising from the actions of the Waqf Board are very real in Kerala. Understanding these issues requires an appreciation of the region’s unique socio-communal dynamics. Those who criticize the Church without this context often align—knowingly or unknowingly—with forces that downplay or obscure these crises. In doing so, they ignore the plight of tens of thousands of poor families across India, including those in the Munambam area, who are now facing existential threats due to unilateral decisions made by the Waqf Board. Is that truly a stance grounded in justice and social reality?
It is also worth noting that the CBCI has consistently taken strong positions and actively intervened in cases of religiously motivated violence, including the recent incidents in Jabalpur. The Church has never turned a blind eye to such matters, nor has it compromised in its duty to advocate for the Christian community during times of crisis. Why, then, do some individuals persist in suggesting that the CBCI is inactive or ineffective in such situations?
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The “unwise” of the Catholic Church in supporting the Waqf Law Reform!
Discussions and controversies continue on the Waqf Law Reform and the Munambam issue. Although the new Waqf Law came into effect on April 8, protests by various Muslim organizations continue. There are reports that protest marches and meetings will be held in various places in India in the coming days. Also, the arguments in the cases before the Waqf Tribunal on the Munambam Waqf claim issue continue. The Farooq College Management had asserted before the Waqf Tribunal the other day that Munambam is not Waqf land. According to the gift deed they received, the previous owner had given the authority to sell the land; and if the college ceased to function at any time, the land had been written off and given back to the then heir of the previous owner, which was the reason the College Management presented before the Tribunal that the land was not Waqf. These are the points that the residents of Munambam and those who advocate for them have been raising with conviction since the beginning.
As for the Catholic Church, it is a fact that the issue of Munambam – Waqf claim has come to the fore and has opened the way for some of the anomalies in the existing Waqf law to be examined closely. The Catholic Church took a stand on this issue after carefully studying and analyzing the Waqf Act of 1995, other laws existing in India regarding land ownership, the Constitution of India, the Waqf Law Amendment Bill introduced by the Central Government in 2024, the history of the Munambam disputed land, and the constitutional and human rights violations in the Waqf claim raised on that land. The comments made by some groups that the Catholic Church was influenced or pressured by external forces to support the Waqf Amendment Bill is entirely unfounded and untrue.
Objections to the Church’s Response and Position
In the ongoing debate surrounding the Waqf issue, certain individuals have been openly criticizing both the state and national leadership of the Catholic Church. These criticisms often overlook the core realities of the situation and appear to be influenced by misinformation propagated by vested interest groups. It is evident that little attention has been given to the detailed and consistent responses issued by the Church leadership over the past seven months.
Those voicing these objections include individuals, groups, and organizations, many of whom seem to approach the matter with preconceived notions. The most recent example is an open letter addressed to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), signed by fifteen social activists—among them priests, nuns, and laypeople.
The letter expresses concern about a perceived rift between Christian and Muslim communities, especially in the current context where religious minorities in India face serious threats from Hindu communal forces. The authors argue that legal reform should not be considered a solution to the Munambam land dispute and instead advocate for local-level interventions. They further caution that if the CBCI continues to engage in such matters without thorough reflection and expert consultation, it could lead to serious consequences.
Interestingly, the content and tone of the letter echo arguments that have been repeatedly published in certain Muslim newspapers and articulated by some leaders of Muslim organizations in Kerala. Unfortunately, this perspective reflects a one-sided view that largely ignores the Church’s well-documented stance on the issue and the rationale behind it. There appears to be little effort to engage with or understand the substance of the Church’s responses.
Such unbalanced narratives risk distorting public perception of the Church’s leadership and intentions. In light of this, it would be more appropriate—and intellectually honest—for those raising objections to first conduct an independent, objective study of the issue from multiple angles, including the official position and reasoning provided by the Church.
The Catholic Church’s Stand on the Waqf Act and Munambam Conflict
The discussion around the Waqf Act Reform Bill unfolded alongside the growing controversy in Kerala regarding the Waqf Board’s claim over land in Munambam. This dispute, affecting more than six hundred poor families, quickly became a contentious issue for both left and right political parties in the state, ultimately compelling them to oppose the reform bill in its entirety.
From the outset, political leaders and public representatives propagated the misleading argument that the Waqf Board’s claim had no connection to the Waqf Act. However, anyone familiar with the legal framework can clearly see that specific sections of the Act—such as Sections 40, 52, 52A, and 107—can be misused by the Waqf Board to seize land, even on the basis of unsubstantiated claims.
Section 40 of Waqf Act 1995
Section 107 of Waqf Act 1995
A fair and unbiased reading of the law reveals that these provisions are in conflict with the Indian Constitution and fundamental principles of justice. It is therefore essential that these sections be amended. Despite this, opposition parties have sidestepped these critical issues, choosing instead to focus on other aspects of the reform.
From the beginning, the Catholic Church has expressed its concerns regarding certain proposed amendments, particularly the inclusion of non-Muslims as members of the Waqf Board, which the Church views as a violation of the constitutional right to religious freedom. The Church has consistently advocated for legal reforms that uphold minority rights and safeguard religious liberties as guaranteed by the Constitution.
These concerns and recommendations were clearly articulated in the memorandum submitted by the Church leadership to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The Church’s position is rooted in a deep conviction: that exploiting legal loopholes to dispossess the poor of their land threatens communal harmony, social stability, and the rule of law. The Church hopes that by addressing these issues now, similar crises can be prevented in other parts of India in the future.
The Muslim Community’s Stance on the Munambam Land Dispute
From the outset, there were ongoing efforts to reach a consensus on the Munambam land issue. Initially, the Muslim League leadership took an active role in mediating the dispute and attempting to facilitate the withdrawal of the Waqf Board’s claim. However, these efforts did not yield any positive outcome. Alongside these negotiations, several media outlets associated with different Muslim organizations—such as Jamaat-e-Islami’s Madhyam, Media One, and Samastha’s Suprabhatam—regularly published articles and reports that strongly defended the Waqf claim. Over time, political leaders who had initially opposed the classification of the Munambam land as Waqf property gradually withdrew from the dialogue and ceased their efforts toward a resolution.
Although the state government had multiple avenues through which it could have intervened, it remained silent for an extended period. Eventually, it opted to appoint a judicial commission as a temporary measure. While this move initially offered a sense of hope to the affected families, that hope was short-lived. The High Court later invalidated the appointment of the commission, further diminishing prospects for a fair resolution. For the residents of Munambam, it became increasingly clear that Waqf law reform was their only realistic path forward.
Throughout the dispute, the positions taken by Muslim community leaders, political parties on both the left and right, and the state government often appeared inconsistent and lacking genuine commitment to resolving the crisis. While BJP leaders did visit Munambam several times and made public statements that seemed to support the residents, any assumption that the Church leadership aligned itself with the BJP simply because it advocated for specific amendments to the Waqf Act is entirely false. The Church’s demand for legal amendments stems from its concern for justice, constitutional rights, and the welfare of vulnerable communities—not from any political alliance or agenda.
The Position of the People’s Representatives
It is difficult to justify the sweeping powers granted to the Waqf Board under the Waqf Act of 1995, especially when such powers override the fundamental right to property guaranteed by Article 300A of the Indian Constitution, as well as protections under the Law of Limitation. There is a strong case for amending these provisions to restore legal balance and uphold constitutional rights.
However, no political party or movement—particularly those reliant on the support of the Islamic community—was willing to support even these critical amendments. Instead, they aligned fully with the community’s decision to oppose the proposed reforms in both letter and spirit. This blanket resistance disappointed the Catholic Church leadership, which publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the people’s representatives who opposed the reforms without engaging in thoughtful deliberation.
The reluctance of Members of Parliament to support even the most urgent and reasonable reforms suggests that they were under significant political pressure. This influence was evident as early as August–September 2024, when the Munambam issue first gained public attention in Kerala, and continues to be seen in developments such as the recent open letter addressed to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).
The unwillingness of many leaders to speak up or intervene on behalf of the affected residents of Munambam—and the countless others across India similarly impacted by Waqf claims—points to a clear prioritization of political survival over justice. When elected representatives choose to defend every aspect of the Waqf Act without acknowledging its problematic sections, despite its consequences for citizens across religious lines, the presence of undue pressure becomes undeniable.
True leadership would have involved taking a balanced stance: advocating for the amendment of harmful provisions while simultaneously opposing any proposals that might compromise minority rights and religious freedom. Unfortunately, many representatives chose silence and evasion over constructive engagement. If such a trend continues, these leaders may eventually have to reckon with their failure to act responsibly during a critical moment.
Conclusion
The open letter addressed to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) reflects a familiar pattern of downplaying pressing concerns by selectively emphasizing certain issues—particularly those related to persecution and challenges faced by Christians and other minorities in India. Meanwhile, similar narratives targeting the Church are also being amplified on social media by various individuals and groups.
The threats faced by Christians—including violence from extremist Hindutva groups, the misuse of anti-conversion laws, and false legal accusations—are real and serious. The CBCI and the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council have consistently monitored these developments and responded with appropriate interventions. However, the suggestion that this is the only threat confronting the Christian community is misleading and overly simplistic.
Equally troubling is the spread of false propaganda accusing the Catholic Church leadership of aligning with the BJP or adopting a pro-Sangh Parivar stance. These narratives often cite meetings between Church leaders and political figures —including the Prime Minister and other government officials — as supposed evidence of political collusion. In reality, Church leaders engage with representatives from all major political parties as part of their ongoing commitment to promote justice, constitutional rights, and the common good. The Church’s position has always been to maintain constructive relationships with all political entities, not out of favoritism, but out of a responsibility to advocate for the wellbeing of society at large. The goal remains unchanged: a peaceful, inclusive, and harmonious India, where the rights and dignity of every citizen are upheld —regardless of religion or political affiliation.
The Waqf Claims: Munambam Residents Fight for Their Homes
Credit: https://kcbcjagratha.org/to-those-criticizing-the-catholic-churchs-stance-on-the-waqf-law-reform-issue/