KOCHI: In a significant move to ease the simmering tension over the Munambam land dispute, Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and P K Kunhalikutty, two most senior leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), called on Latin Catholic bishops at the Varapuzha archdiocese headquarters in Ernakulam on Monday. Representatives of the Munambam-Kadapuram Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti also participated in the discussions.
After the meeting, they jointly stated that the onus is on the state government to find a solution to the issue in an amicable manner, and assured all support in this regard.
The discussion, which lasted more than an hour, came ahead of the state government’s high-level meeting on November 22 to resolve the land dispute at Munambam where about 615 families — mostly from the Latin Christian community — are fighting for rights to their land following claims by the Waqf Board.
Sixteen bishops of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRLCBC), including Varapuzha Archbishop Mar Joseph Kalathiparambil, attended the meeting, which assumed political significance as it was held on the final day of the campaigning for the Palakkad assembly by-election.
Sources said Thangal, who arrived in Kochi on Sunday night from Kozhikode, was planning to visit Munambam on Monday and discussed this with KRLCBC president Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal. However, the bishop invited him to the Varapuzha archdiocese bishop’s house for a meeting.
According to KRLCC sources, the Church has been in contact with Thangal and Kunhalikutty regarding the Munambam issue.
After the meeting, Thangal, Kunhalikutty and Bishop Chakkalakal told reporters that they want an amicable settlement to the issue and
that the onus is on the state government to bring everyone together to arrive at a legally binding solution. “The Munambam issue needs to be resolved at the earliest since it would become even more complex with each passing day,” Thangal said.
Call meet of all stakeholders immediately, says Thangal
“Everyone present at the meeting agreed upon the fact that there are both legal and factual aspects associated with the issue,” Thangal said. “The government must call a meeting of all the stakeholders immediately after the election to arrive at a permanent solution,” he said.
Kunhalikutty said there are some technical problems related to the issue, which can be solved only by the state government by calling a meeting of all stakeholders.
“Thangal had recently called a meeting of the Farook College committee and other Muslim organisations. At the meeting, they passed a mandate that this issue needs to be solved amicably. Even the Farook College Committee has expressed their desire for an amicable solution, said Kunhalikutty.
Bishop Chakkalakal said Thangal, Kunhalikutty and various Muslim organisations have expressed their solidarity with the residents of Munambam.
“Thangal and Kunhalikutty told us that they will approach the state government to seek a solution to the issue at the earliest.
The bishop highlighted how everyone is working to keep the secular fabric at Munambam intact. “Thangal and Kunhalikutty are positive that the issue can be solved amicably. We too have the same belief. We have to maintain communal amity in our society. This is not a religious issue,” he said.