As the government prepares to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill during the winter session of Parliament starting Monday, residents of Kochi have voiced their opposition through ongoing protests against the Act.
The Munambam community, in particular, has highlighted their struggles under the Waqf Act. Protesters claim that despite purchasing property between 1988 and 1993 and residing there for over 150 years, the Waqf Board has now asserted ownership. The community has called on the government to amend the Act and facilitate the return of their property.
“We are on the 33rd day of our protest and this is a fasting protest following the method of non-violence. Today, we brought an effigy of the Waqf Act. We are not against any particular religion, we are only against the Waqf Act which has to be amended… We need to amend the laws because we have to address certain issues which are deeply rooted in today’s India,” one protester told ANI.
Another protester elaborated on the community’s plight: “The Munambam people here are suffering due to this Act. In 1995, the act enabled the Waqf Board to claim this property. These fishermen have been living in this place for the last 150 years. They bought this property in 1988-1993. After 35 years of possessing this property, today they are asked to leave because the Waqf Board has entered this property into their registration. We expect that the Government will notice all these things and make the necessary changes to change the Waqf Act and enable us to reclaim this property.”
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Meanwhile, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, listed for consideration and passing during the session, is under review by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) comprising members from both Houses. The JPC is expected to submit its report during the winter session, but opposition members are pushing for more time to complete the review.
The session, running from November 25 to December 20, includes 19 sittings. Since August 22, the JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has held 25 meetings, reviewing inputs from six ministries and consulting 123 stakeholders, including representatives from six states, eight Waqf boards, and four minority commissions.
The Waqf Act of 1995, designed to regulate waqf properties, has faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachment over the years. The proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to implement significant reforms, including digitisation of records, stricter audits, enhanced transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC has been gathering input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives to ensure comprehensive reforms are introduced.
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