In this image on April 15, 2025, Union Minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju and Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar meet Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil and others in Kerala.
Credit: X/@KirenRijiju via PTI Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minority Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday visited the Munambam coastal area near Kochi and assured that Waqf law amendment will bring relief to the plight of the 610-odd families from the Waqf board's claims on their lands.
Rijiju's visit is widely interpreted as part of BJP's attempts to take political advantage in Kerala from the Waqf law amendment as almost all the 610 affected families of Munambam facing Waqf claim on their land are from the Christian community.
Rijiju visited the families who are on indefinite stir over the last 185 days, and said that with the Waqf law amendment, there are now specific solutions for easily challenging the Waqf board's claim on their land. But it would be subjudice for him to make any such specific comments as the matter was under the review of a tribunal, said Rijiju while speaking at the 'Nandi Modi' (Thanks Modi) programme at Munambam.
"The grievances of the people of Munambam were in our mind while drafting the amendment. You are living in our hearts. We won't take rest until you get back your hard earned land. Once the rules are drafted, the Centre will give necessary instructions to the state government and Waqf board for taking steps as per the amended laws to ensure that the rights of the people of Munambam on their land are take care of," he said.
Rijiju also said that the Congress and communist parties were trying to create a narrative that the BJP was against Muslims by bringing the amendment.
"The Congress and Community parties are only concerned about vote banks and hence opposing the amendment. The BJP government is not considering it as a political issue," said Rijiju.
Rijiju, who was accompanied by BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, also met the local church leaders and visited the venue of the indefinite stir.