Association of Catholic bishops seeks unbiased, constructive approach to Waqf Amendment Bill

With the Waqf Amendment Bill set to be introduced in Parliament, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), which is the permanent association of Catholic bishops in India, has urged political parties and legislators to adopt an unbiased and constructive approach to this issue. 

In a statement released on Monday (March 31, 2025), it said certain provisions in the existing Central Waqf Act were inconsistent with the Constitution and the secular democratic values of the country. 

“In Kerala, the Waqf Board has invoked these provisions to declare the ancestral residential properties of more than 600 families in the Munambam region as Waqf land. Over the past three years, this issue has escalated into a complex legal dispute. The fact remains that only a legal amendment can provide a permanent solution, and this must be recognised by the people’s representatives,’’ noted the association.

It added that the rightful ownership of land must be fully restored to the people of Munambam. “Any provisions or laws that contradict the principles of the Constitution must be amended. At the same time, the rights of religious minorities, as guaranteed by the Constitution, must be safeguarded,’’ it said.