IUML leaders meet Latin Catholic priests to discuss Munambam Waqf land dispute

In a bid to address the Waqf land dispute in Munambam, senior leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) met with Latin Catholic Church leaders at the Varapuzha Archdiocese headquarters in Kochi on Monday.
The discussion between the two groups aimed to find a resolution to the issue that has placed 615 families, primarily from the Latin Christian community, at risk of losing their homes.
IUML state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and general secretary PK Kunhalikutty led the discussions, engaging with Archbishop Mar Joseph Kalathiparambil and 16 bishops of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRLCBC). Representatives from the Munambam-Kadapuram Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti, which has been protesting on behalf of the fishermen’s community, also participated in the discussion.
Speaking after the meeting, Thangal emphasised the urgency of government intervention.
“We shared good suggestions with each other. There are legal aspects and other issues in this case. And it’s the government that should initiate action. They should do that without any delay. They should call all parties concerned and find a solution,” he said.
Kunhalikutty echoed the sentiment, and noted: “The discussion happened in a friendly manner. We can resolve the Munambam issue, that too very soon; there is no doubt about that. This discussion ended with absolute clarity about what to do further.”
Archbishop Kalathiparambil highlighted the humanitarian and secular nature of the issue. “This is not a problem of a community or a religion. We are extremely happy they have come. We have to go forth with religious harmony. This is a humanitarian issue,” he said.
Thangal and Kunhalikutty reassured the Church and local residents of IUML’s commitment to an amicable solution. Thangal had earlier convened a meeting of Muslim organisations, which collectively resolved against evictions and sought peaceful dialogue.
The Munambam Waqf land dispute gained political traction, with both the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front and the BJP criticising the Left government for its delayed response.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje recently visited Munambam and called the issue a “land jihad”.
The state government has scheduled a high-level meeting on November 22 to discuss the matter.