Munambam Protests on Brink of End as Kerala High Court Ruling Offers Relief
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A year-long protest in Munambam, a coastal hamlet in Kerala's Ernakulam district, may soon come to an end. The action council, which has been demanding ownership and revenue rights over the land, is expected to decide on the future course of action. The protest began on October 13, 2024, after the State Waqf Board claimed ownership of nearly 404 acres of land, sparking a dispute with local residents who claim to have bought the land from the Farooq College over the last three decades. However, a recent Kerala High Court ruling has allowed residents to remit land tax on the disputed land, bringing a huge relief to the community. The ruling has also paved the way for residents to access bank loans and financial assistance, which they had been denied due to the Waqf ownership dispute. The decision to end the protest, if taken, will be a significant development in the ongoing Waqf dispute, which has become a major national talking-point. The dispute has even reached the hallowed halls of Parliament, with parties like the BJP criticizing attempts by Muslim organisations and Waqf boards to encroach upon public and private land. The outcome of the Munambam dispute is also expected to impact the upcoming local body elections.
