In a significant development, the Kerala High Court has granted relief to the state government by allowing the judicial commission to resume its work on resolving the Munambam Waqf land dispute. The division bench set aside an earlier decision by a single bench that had annulled the commission’s appointment. The commission, led by former High Court judge C N Ramachandran Nair, was established by the Kerala government last November to safeguard the legal rights of the occupants of the disputed land.
The Munambam land dispute has been a source of tension in Kerala for several years. Around four decades ago, nearly 600 residents purchased land in the Munambam region, which was later claimed by the state Waqf board in 2019 as its property. This has led to a major legal and social issue, with both the state and the Waqf board claiming ownership rights over the property. To protect the interests of the long-time occupants, the state government appointed a judicial commission to investigate and find a fair resolution to the problem.
However, the dispute escalated in recent months when the single bench of the High Court nullified the government’s commission, citing various legal concerns. This decision temporarily stalled the commission’s efforts to resolve the matter. In response, the Kerala government appealed to the division bench of the High Court, seeking the restoration of the commission’s work. The division bench, in its interim order, sided with the state government, allowing the commission to resume its duties.
While the division bench permitted the commission to continue its work, it has also directed the government not to take any action based on the commission’s findings until the matter is fully resolved in court. The commission was tasked with submitting its report within three months, providing clarity on the legal rights of the occupants and proposing a long-term solution to the ongoing dispute.
The controversy surrounding the Munambam land dispute intensified after the passing of the Waqf amendment bill last week. The BJP, which supports the bill, claims that it includes provisions to restore the revenue rights of the land’s occupants. However, both the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress have expressed doubts about whether the amendment will offer any real relief to the residents of Munambam. The matter remains unresolved, and the residents continue to press for a solution to the crisis.
