BJP Accuses Kerala Government of Colluding in Munambam Waqf Land Case
ERNAKULAM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Kerala state government of deliberately facilitating a Supreme Court stay on a High Court verdict concerning the Munambam Waqf land. Adv. Shaun George, State Vice-President of the BJP, alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan government intentionally bypassed the opportunity to appeal the Kerala High Court division bench’s ruling, which had declared the Munambam land not to be Waqf property.
Adv. Shaun George stated that the government had a window of 40 to 45 days to file an appeal against the High Court order in the Supreme Court. He argued that if this timeframe had been utilized, the residents of Munambam would have secured full ownership rights over the land. Instead, George claimed, the government deliberately avoided this course of action, thereby creating an opportunity for the ‘Waqf Protection Committee’ to obtain a stay from the apex court.
In a significant development, Philip, a resident of Munambam and State Vice President of the Minority Morcha, joined the case as a party. The Supreme Court, after considering applications including Philip’s, decided to issue notices for further proceedings. Senior advocate Maninder Singh represented Philip in the Supreme Court.
Adv. Shaun George sharply criticized the state administration, stating, “The Pinarayi government and the Revenue and Finance Ministers have, in recent days, acted in a manner that creates an impression of siding with the victim, while in reality, standing with the perpetrator.”
The Supreme Court recently issued a stay on the High Court’s directive that declared the Munambam land was not Waqf property. This interim order by the Supreme Court came in response to a petition filed by the Waqf Protection Forum. The Supreme Court has mandated that the status quo of the land be maintained until January 27.
The Supreme Court bench observed that the High Court had exceeded its jurisdiction when considering the Munambam issue. However, the apex court also clarified that there would be no stay on the High Court’s decision to affirm the state government’s appointment of an inquiry commission to investigate the Munambam matter.