In a move that has sent ripples across India’s religious landscape, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) recently expressed support for the amendments to the Waqf Act, a decision that has been met with both approval and criticism. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was passed by both houses of Parliament and received presidential assent, aims to reform the governance of waqf properties, introducing changes such as the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and enhancing transparency in waqf management.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, was introduced by the Indian government to address perceived shortcomings in the existing Waqf Act, 1995. The amendments include provisions for gender equality, sectarian inclusivity, and enhanced transparency in waqf property management. The Act also empowers the Central Government to create rules for waqf registration and auditing, ensuring accountability and streamlining the process of waqf formation and management.
The CBCI’s support for the amendments was motivated by a contentious land dispute in Kerala’s Munambam region, where over 600 Christian families face eviction due to a waqf claim over the land. The bishops hoped that the amendments would help resolve this issue in favour of the local Christian community. However, this stance has been criticised by some within the Catholic community and beyond, who argue that it may legitimise state interference in minority affairs and strain interfaith relations.
A group of concerned Catholic laity, clergy, and religious have written to the CBCI, expressing deep concern over the implications of supporting the Waqf Act amendments. They argue that while the Munambam dispute is a pressing issue, it should not have been the basis for backing a national legislative change that affects another religious minority.
In a letter jointly addressed to CBCI, Susan Abraham, Lawyer and Human Rights Activist; Allen Brooks, Ex Chairperson, Assam State Commission for Minorities; John Dayal, Ex Member, National Integration Council; Brinelle D’Souza, Academic and Activist; Dorothy Fernandes PBVM, Former National Convener, Forum of Religious for Justice & Peace; Walter Fernandes SJ, Director, North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati; Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, Secretary, Ecclesia of Women in Asia & Indian Women’s Theological Forum; Frazer Mascarenhas SJ, Former Principal, St. Xavier’s College Mumbai; AC Michael, Ex Member, Delhi Minorities Commission; Elsa Muttathu PBVM; Prakash Louis SJ, Activist, Patna; Thomas Pallithanam, People’s Action For Rural Awakening & Meluko, AP; Cedric Prakash SJ, Activist, Ahmedabad and Lisa Pires PBVM, Working in Goa on Issues of Trafficking and Migration, have emphasised the importance of safeguarding minority rights and religious freedom, particularly at a time when Christian institutions face increasing scrutiny and violence.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act has also drawn opposition from other religious communities. Sikh leaders, including those from the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), have joined Muslim leaders in opposing the bill, viewing it as an interference in minority affairs. This rare interfaith solidarity highlights the broader concerns about minority rights and the potential for state intrusion into religious governance.
The Munambam dispute centers on a stretch of land claimed by the Kerala Waqf Board, which has been occupied by Christian families for generations. The classification of this land as waqf has led to legal battles and the threat of eviction for hundreds of families. The Kerala High Court recently stayed an order quashing the state’s judicial commission probing the dispute, ensuring that the issue remains under legal scrutiny.
The CBCI’s support for the Waqf Act amendments reflects a complex interplay of local concerns and broader principles of minority rights and religious freedom. While addressing specific disputes like Munambam is crucial, it is equally important to consider the long-term implications of such support on interfaith relations and the governance of religious institutions. It is important for the Catholic community and other religious groups to engage in dialogue and reflection to ensure that their actions uphold the values of justice, fraternity, and solidarity that are central to their faith and to India’s democratic ethos.
