Munambam residents in Kerala heaved a sigh of relief after the Waqf Amendment Bill sailed through the Rajya Sabha. Munambam, located in central Kerala, is primarily inhabited by fisherfolk, most of whom belong to the Christian community, with a few from the Hindu community as well.
They had been facing the threat of eviction by the Waqf Board from the land they had been living on for decades. Their only hope was the Waqf amendment bill. The residents had been on an indefinite strike for the last six months against the Waqf board’s attempts to take over their land.
Let’s remember that this is yet another locality in Kerala, that had repeatedly voted for the Congress and the Communists in the past. Yet both parties washed their hands of the issue, choosing instead to vote against the amendment bill—clearly because they didn’t want to antagonize the powerful Islamic organizations that opposed it.
The BJP, however, had backed the Munambam residents in their agitation. Please read this news article:
“History has been made! The Rajya Sabha has passed the #WaqfAmendmentBill, bringing an end to decades of injustice,” posted Rajeev Chandrasekhar on his X handle.
The area witnessed unprecedented scenes this morning. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Munambam, accompanied by a few other senior state leaders.
Watch these visuals:
Primary membership of the BJP was issued to 50 Munambam residents who expressed their desire to join and work for the party. Rajeev Chandrasekhar personally issued the memberships and welcomed them by draping saffron shawls over their shoulders. He assured the residents that their problems would be resolved as soon as the bill receives the President’s assent and becomes law.
In the last elections, it is believed that a large number of Christians voted for Suresh Gopi, contributing to a sweeping victory that secured the BJP’s first seat in Kerala. Christian bodies in Kerala have already lauded the passage of the Waqf amendment bill. We shouldn’t be surprised if more Christians in the state are drawn towards the BJP in the days to come.
