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Journalism of Courage
Mizoram BJP vice-president R Vanramchhuanga Thursday resigned from his post to protest the “massive demolition of Christian Churches” during the violence in Manipur, which, he alleged, was “supported by the state and central authorities”.
In a letter addressed to Mizoram BJP president Vanlalhmuaka, Vanramchhuanga said his resignation was to protest against “this act of criminal injustice to the Christians”.
“Due to the recent outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur state, 357 Christian Churches, Pastor Quarters and Office buildings belonging to different churches were so far burnt… However, the incident was not blamed by Manipur State Chief Minister Shri N Biren Singh,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
Vanramchhuanga also stated, “Shri Amit Shah ji, Union Home Minister visited Imphal but neither he blamed the burning of church buildings. Even the Central government have not expressed any word to condemn burning of Christian churches.”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Vanramchhuanga alleged that the incidents in Manipur gave credence to allegations of the BJP being an “anti-Christian party”.
“The state leaders as well as central leaders should have expressed their condemnation of the miscreants’ acts, and they must do something to safeguard or console the victims… Mizoram is a Christian state but some other parties used to criticise the BJP as an anti-Christian party, which has influenced particularly women believers. The idea has come into effect in Manipur. People can say that the BJP is really an anti-Christian party… As an ordained Church elder, I have to respect the ideas of my people, my Church people. As a Church leader, I should not be involved with the BJP,” he said.
Asked about his course of action ahead, Vanramchhuanga said he was visited by leaders of some other parties Thursday but was yet to consider his next steps.
The Mizoram BJP vice-president’s resignation comes months before the Assembly polls slated for November this year. The Christian community makes up more than 87% of Mizoram’s population. In the 2018 Assembly elections, the BJP had opened its account in the state, winning one seat.
With Mizos sharing a deep ethnic bond with Kuki-Zomis, who are in conflict with Meiteis in Manipur, Mizoram has continued to keep a close watch on the situation in the strife-torn neighbouring state.
More than 130 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3.
Over 12,000 displaced Kuki-Zomi people from Manipur have taken shelter in Mizoram, where a slew of leaders cutting across party lines, including the BJP, have made public declarations of support for the “separate administration” demand made by Kuki-Zomis. In May, the state BJP had passed a resolution stating that it found the demand for separate administration “reasonable”.
