Kochi: The Hindu Aikya Vedi demands the scrapping of the Waqf Act. In solidarity with the protest by Munambam people who have agitated against Waqf’s purchase of their lands, the Hindu Aikya Vedi also organised a public convention to express solidarity with their movement.
As a public convention held at AJ Hall in Ernakulam, the people demanded the retraction of the Waqf Act, along with showing solidarity with the ongoing protest. Hundreds of people attended the convention, affirming commitment to support the people of Munambam. Heads of political, community organisations, social activists, and writers expressed their concerns at the meeting.
It has also reaffirmed that in undemocratic Waqf Act, the Waqf Board had usurped ownership of land owned by Munambam residents. It has caused tremendous hardships to the locals. The issue affects 620 families of different religious backgrounds that have been staying in Munambam for many decades. According to a notice from the Waqf Board, the state government has deprived many families of ownership rights over their land in their respective plots, not only in Munambam but in other places in the entire state too, said P. Sudhakaran, General Secretary of Hindu Aikya Vedi, while presenting the resolution.
It declared that the illegal and discriminatory Waqf Act must be abolished. The Nehru government enacted such a Waqf provision in the Constitution that bestows massive powers to the Waqf Board due to alleged political appeasement towards Muslims. Subsequently, these powers have been increased by amendments in 1995 and 2013. Therefore, these powers given to the Waqf Board constitute a death blow to the Constitution.
Even in Muslim-majority countries, there is no such Waqf law. Today, Waqf Board happens to be the largest private landowner in the country with 9.5 million acres of land. To throw out this invasion, people of Kerala should offer a stiff resistance. The resolution moved by state spokesperson E.S. Biju urged the Centre to abolish the present Waqf Act and bring in a new law for the Waqf.
A land protection conference is scheduled on the 11th at Munambam. From then on, conferences will be held in all district centers like Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode, starting from the 20th, at the panchayat level.
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