It has been said that the two litigants are Muslim League members. Can’t the problem be solved through discussions with leaders such as P K Kunhalikutty?

Yes. In the meetings that we had held with the leaders from various political parties, including the Muslim League, it has been evident from their response that an amicable solution can be arrived at.

Did anyone from the ruling party meet the agitators, or hold discussions with you?

Earlier, the Vypeen MLA [K N Unnikrishnan] had intervened, and the state government had restored the people’s revenue rights. The residents assumed that the problem was over. However, in 2024, when they found their revenue rights revoked, they aired their worries to us. After meeting with the residents, we submitted a petition highlighting the issue at the chief minister’s public outreach programme (Nava Kerala Sadas). However, no action was taken. We had our fingers crossed. We were then told that the advocate general would take up the case in court. Yet again, we were disappointed. It was only then that we decided to resort to a hunger strike and agitation.

There seems to be some sort of religious polarisation happening in the area. The residents’ sentiments are gradually turning anti-Muslim. Is this true?

No. We don’t think so. We have been visiting the protesters every day. People from every political party and community, including the Muslim brothers, have been visiting and expressing their support to the agitators.

There are social media posts claiming that the Munnambam issue is being used to reap political benefits. What is your take on this?

You know Kerala is a politically sensitive state. There might be people who attempt to take political benefits from the issue. We go to the protest venue every day. We don’t know from where a solution would arise. We maintain a balanced approach. The Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) has a political ‘equidistance’ policy. We interact with everyone, including political parties. We will accept everyone’s support to get justice.

The BJP was the first to intervene in the Munnambam issue. Several national leaders voiced their views on the matter and, as a result, it became a national issue.

We cannot say that the BJP was the first to intervene. Local people had taken up the matter with the local CPM MLA, Unnikrishnan. The BJP intervened because the issue involved Waqf. Amending the Waqf Act is part of the BJP’s policy. That is why BJP leaders and supporters took a stand in the matter. It is the BJP that has tabled the Waqf Amendment Bill. The two main fronts in Kerala are against it. The common people are watching all these. We hope you can read between the lines.