Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje claimed that a “powerful land mafia” was trying to take land from farmers and the poor using false Waqf claims. She made the comments after visiting Munambam in Ernakulam district. About 600 families from Munambam were protesting against Waqf board staking a claim of their land. Karandlaje accused the group of carrying out what she called “land jihad.”