INL rallies behind Umar Faizy, criticises IUML leadership

The Indian National League (INL) has come out in strong support of Umar Faizy Mukkam, a member of the Kerala State Waqf Board and secretary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, after he faced criticism over his remarks at a CPI(M) seminar on the Waqf issue in Malappuram. The INL district secretariat issued a statement on Thursday, accusing critics of targeting Mr. Faizy for his refusal to support changes to the status of Waqf land at Munambam.

According to the INL, Mr. Faizy was being penalised for standing against moves that would benefit encroachers and their political supporters. The party alleged that people who follow the leadership of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) were deploying their positions to criticise Mr. Faizy. The statement did not name the individuals, but made clear that the criticism was emanating from circles close to the IUML.

The INL went a step further and accused the IUML leadership of attempting to dissolve the Kerala State Waqf Board. It said the Central Waqf Amendment Bill was being used as a pretext for this alleged move. The party also trained its guns on IUML MLA K.P. Noushad Ali, claiming that he was part of the state government that backed a petition in the High Court filed by a BJP leader. That petition sought the inclusion of two non-Muslims in the Waqf Board, a demand that has been opposed by several Muslim organisations.

The INL asked Mr. Noushad to clarify his stand on the Central Waqf Bill and the Munambam land dispute before commenting on Mr. Faizy. It warned that efforts to make Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama and its institutions fall in line with the IUML's approach could deepen divisions within the Muslim community. The party also appealed for unity in what it described as "difficult times" for the community.

The Munambam Waqf land dispute has been a recurring flashpoint in Kerala politics. The land, located in Ernakulam district, is claimed as Waqf property by some, while other claimants assert private ownership. The dispute has led to legal battles and protests over the years. The Central Waqf Amendment Bill, introduced in Parliament, seeks to overhaul the Waqf Act and has provoked sharply divergent responses from political and religious groups.

The CPI(M) seminar where Mr. Faizy spoke was part of a series of events organised by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) to discuss the Waqf bill and its implications. Malappuram, the venue, is a politically significant district with a large Muslim population and is a stronghold of both the IUML and the INL. Mr. Faizy's appearance at the seminar was widely noted, as Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama has traditionally maintained close ties with the IUML.

The INL, which broke away from the IUML in 1994, has often carved an independent path on issues affecting the Muslim community. The two parties are rivals in the Malabar region, and their contest for influence has sometimes spilled into public disagreements. The Waqf issue has become the latest battleground.

Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama is one of the largest Sunni scholarly bodies in Kerala, and its endorsements carry weight in the community. Mr. Faizy is a senior figure in the organisation. His stand on the Munambam issue, as outlined by the INL, is consistent with Samastha's position that Waqf properties should not be diluted.

However, the IUML has not publicly stated that it supports changes to the Munambam Waqf land status. The INL's allegations that the IUML is quietly working to dissolve the Waqf Board are unlikely to be accepted by the latter without evidence. At the time of writing, neither the IUML nor Mr. Noushad Ali had issued a response to the INL's statement.

The INL's statement also underscored the growing polarisation within the Muslim community in Kerala over the Waqf issue. Different groups have taken differing positions on the Central amendment bill and on the composition of Waqf boards. The INL's warning about divisions reflects these fault lines.

This report is based on the INL's statement. The allegations made by the party have not been independently verified by this publication. We will update this article if and when responses from the IUML or Mr. Noushad Ali are received.