Northeast Desk, 20th 0ctober: Protests have erupted in Mizoram against the candidacy of Meriam L Hrangchal, who is running on the Congress ticket from the Lunglei South Assembly constituency in the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for November 7.
The protestors, primarily from the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students Association), organized a massive rally opposing Hrangchal’s candidacy due to her non-Mizo lineage resulting from her marriage to a non-Mizo individual.
Chanting slogans against the candidate, the protesters are demanding the cancellation of Hrangchal’s candidacy.
Earlier, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) expressed their concerns about Hrangchal’s nomination, highlighting her marriage to Dipen Zoliana, the son of Niraj Singh, a non-Mizo, and Kawlhmingliani, whose heritage has Gorkhali origins.
According to the Mizo Customary Law, a Mizo woman who marries a foreigner or non-Mizo is considered part of the foreigner’s family. This legal interpretation has driven the MZP’s concerns that individuals married to foreigners may not effectively represent the interests and cultural heritage of the Mizo community, particularly in the highest legislative body.