'Is religion a hindrance even to justice?' Deepika slams Waqf Board and government over Munambam land issue

KOCHI: Amid growing political controversy over Waqf land disputes, the editorial of the Catholic mouthpiece Deepika has reminded Chief Minister V D Satheesan of a promise he made while serving as Leader of the Opposition. The editorial sharply criticised the Waqf Board’s move to register 404 acres of land in Munambam under the central government’s UMEED portal.

The editorial warned that certain provisions in the Waqf laws, which allow properties claimed by the Waqf Board to be taken over, pose a serious threat to the secular structure of the country. It also alleged that the Board’s action is a direct challenge to the 610 families living in Munambam and to secular Kerala.

The article recalled Satheesan’s earlier statement that the Munambam issue could be resolved “within 10 minutes” if the UDF came to power. It also referred to the state government’s decision to cancel the K-Rail notification and land acquisition process. The editorial questioned whether religion had become an obstacle even to justice and asked whether cancelling a Waqf Board notification would not be as easy as cancelling a government notification.

The editorial further called for the removal of Waqf boundary markers placed in Munambam and said they should be “thrown into the Arabian Sea.” It stated that locals would continue their protest on the seashore until justice is delivered. The article also pointed out that the stand taken by the previous LDF government before a High Court division bench in 2025 had been favourable to the people of Munambam.

The editorial concluded by demanding that the Waqf Board’s UMEED notification be withdrawn and the Waqf markers removed from Munambam. It added that until then, the affected residents would continue their protest and would not leave the struggle.