Sat Nov 02 15:01:41 UTC 2024: ## Catholic Church’s Stance on Munambam Land Dispute Pushes Kerala Parties into Action
**Kottayam, Kerala:** The Catholic Church’s strong stance on the land dispute in Munambam has put Kerala’s political parties on high alert, especially those relying on Catholic votes in central Travancore.
Following a recent meeting where Muslim organizations expressed a desire to ease tensions, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s perceived inaction on the issue has put its key ally, the Kerala Congress (M), in a precarious position. The rival faction of the Kerala Congress, led by P.J. Joseph, is also facing scrutiny from the Church for its role in supporting the Waqf Amendment Bill.
The Church has criticized both UDF and LDF legislators for supporting the Waqf Bill, despite the protests in Munambam. A top Church functionary warned that the issue could significantly impact both coalitions in the upcoming local elections.
In response to growing pressure, the Kerala Congress (M) has taken a surprising turn, publicly expressing support for the protesters in Munambam for the first time. A party delegation led by Chairman Jose K. Mani visited the site and declared their support, arguing that the current landowners have legal ownership of the land in question.
However, the Church remains unimpressed, accusing the parties of prioritizing vote-bank politics over secular values. The Church functionary demanded a legal report from the government on the Waqf Board’s claims to be submitted to the court, highlighting the lack of action from the government so far.
With the Muslim community having clarified their stance, the ball is now in the court of the Kerala government to address the dispute legally and swiftly. The Catholic Church’s firm position and the political parties’ scramble to appease them will undoubtedly influence the trajectory of the ongoing land dispute and the upcoming elections.
First Piper 