Kerala: Waqf (Amendment) Bill has emerged as an important issue in the by-elections.

The Uncut


Thiruvananthapuram. The stand of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will be discussed in the by-elections for Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and two assembly seats in Kerala. Is emerging as a topic.

The Catholic Church, which has considerable influence in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, has supported the bill brought by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi is contesting the by-election from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. The church alleged that the Waqf Board had illegally laid claim to several properties belonging to Christian families living for several generations in Cherai and Munambam villages in Ernakulam district.

Syro-Malabar Catholic Church-backed daily Deepika, in an editorial published on Monday, criticized the UDF and LDF for passing a unanimous resolution in the state assembly “for protecting the Waqf law without considering the suffering of the affected people”. Was accused. Criticizing the LDF and UDF, the editorial said that the people who promised justice in Munambam went to Thiruvananthapuram and passed a resolution saying that the Waqf Act should not be tampered with.

The newspaper has expressed its stand on this issue at a time when by-elections for Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and two assembly seats – Palakkad and Chelakkara – are approaching. The Kerala Assembly had earlier this month passed a resolution against the amendment in the Waqf law by the Centre. The motion alleged that the proposed bill under consideration of the Joint Parliamentary Committee violates the rights of religion, federalism, secularism and democracy and fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Kerala and the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council sent a letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, requesting suggestions for amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995.
A source said the church requested the Joint Parliamentary Committee to consider the “pitiable situation” of those living in two villages in Ernakulam district and several other parts of India, citing “completely unjustified and inhuman claims” made by the Waqf Board. ” are facing the brunt of losing their homes.

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