Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma has come under fire for comments during his visit to the US in September. Out of context clips are now going viral on social media, where it seems like Lalduhoma has called for a separate Christian nation. However, the Mizoram government clearly stated that the CM had spoken about reunification but reunified under India. We should also note that the speech given by the CM was approved by the office of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The first speech was given on September 2nd, where he gave a speech in Maryland at a Mizo Day event. During the speech, he brought up the topic of how the Zo people have been spread apart into Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India and how they, one day, plan to be reunited under the Indian tricolor. 

 It was mainly the second speech given by the CM in Indianapolis that has caused the stir. The first instance that was shared on social media was when he stated, “We cannot afford to have three enemies who are bigger than us,” and the second part was towards the end of his address, where he mentions why he accepted the invitation to come to the US. 

The “three enemies” comment has been grossly taken out of proportion, as the clips surfacing on social media were from the middle of the speech with no context. Lalduhoma was referring to a point in time in 1987, when Mizoram had just been established after insurgency as well as during the formation of ZORO, a Zo reunification organisation in 1988. People forget that the main ideology of the ZORO movement was to have reunification under India.

 After this, he ended his speech by stating that his people “cannot remain divided and to seek a path of unity.” “And that one day, through the strength of God, we will rise together under one leadership to achieve our destiny of nationhood." When the clips went viral, many were calling the CM a traitor and one who does not deserve a place in Indian politics for having “separatist” ideology.

Many refused to actually go and see the entire speech, which is freely available, before passing judgment. Several media outlets ran with this angle as well, turning the Indian people against the North Eastern leader. 

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that he has yet to see the comments but will respond after the office gets some clarity on the matter.