Syro-Malabar Church and Kerala Catholic Bishops Urge Changes to Waqf Act to Protect Christian Families’ Properties
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 29: The Syro-Malabar Church and the Kerala Catholic Bishop Council have written to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, requesting changes to the Waqf Act of 1995.
Concerns Raised by Archbishop Andrews Thazath
In a letter dated September 10, Archbishop Andrews Thazath, chairman of the Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission, highlighted that properties belonging to Christian families in Cherai and Munambam, Ernakulam, have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board. He stated, “In Ernakulum District of Kerala, numerous properties that have belonged to Christian families for generations in the villages of Cherai and Munambam have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board, leading to protracted legal battles and the displacement of rightful owners. Around 600 families are under threat. These people belong to the impoverished fishermen community. One Catholic Parish Church, Convent and dispensary are under threat of evacuation by the Waqf Board.”
Request for Humanitarian Consideration
The Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission has urged the JPC to consider the plight of these families and others across India who face losing their lands due to what they describe as unjust claims by the Waqf Board. They have requested amendments to the Waqf Act based on humanitarian and constitutional principles.
Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council’s Appeal
The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) also sent a letter on September 10, with Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, President of KCBC, stating, “I respectfully submit this petition to bring to your attention a grave issue affecting more than 600 families residing in Munanbam Beach, Ernakulam District, Kerala State. Since 2022, the enforcement of the Waqf Law has caused considerable hardship for these families, who are enduring immense distress and uncertainty due to unjust claims on their properties by the Waqf Board.”
The KCBC has called for a thorough review of the Waqf Law provisions and suggested amendments to prevent similar issues in the future. They emphasized that the Waqf Board’s claims are unjust, unconstitutional, and violate citizens’ rights to own property.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and referred to a JPC after a heated debate. The JPC is holding informal discussions with various stakeholders until October 1 to refine the proposed amendments. The bill aims to bring reforms such as digitization, stricter audits, transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The committee is expected to submit its report by the last day of the first week of the next parliament session.
Doubts Revealed
Syro-Malabar Church -: The Syro-Malabar Church is a group of Christians in Kerala who follow a special way of worship that is different from other Christians.
Kerala Catholic Bishop Council -: This is a group of important leaders from the Catholic Church in Kerala who come together to discuss and make decisions about church matters.
Waqf Act -: The Waqf Act is a law in India that deals with properties given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam. It helps manage these properties.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) -: The JPC is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament who come together to study and suggest changes to laws.
Archbishop Andrews Thazath -: He is a high-ranking leader in the Syro-Malabar Church, like a principal in a school but for the church.
Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos -: He is a very important leader in the Catholic Church in India, similar to a chief minister but for the church.
Waqf Board -: The Waqf Board is a group that manages properties given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 -: This is a proposed change to the Waqf Act to make it better and fairer, and it is being looked at by the JPC.
