CM Lalduhoma says The Mizo Marriage Amendment Bill is based on NGO Review; Urges an open-minded approach to inter-community marriages
Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma said that the recently passed The Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is not solely a government initiative, but the outcome of recommendations made by a review committee comprising representatives from ten non-governmental organisations.
The Chief Minister made the remarks while responding to a private resolution moved by Congress MLA Pu C. Ngunlianchunga in the House today, amid ongoing debate surrounding the Bill on social media.
Clarifying the origins of the legislation, Pu Lalduhoma stated that the amendment was the result of deliberations by a review committee that included representatives from the Central Young Mizo Association, Mizo Upa Pawl, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl, Council of Churches in Mizoram, Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee, Mizoram State Commission for Women, Mizoram Law College, Mizoram Bar Association, experts from Mizoram University, and officials tasked with reviewing Mizo cultural practices and traditions.
Addressing concerns regarding inter-community marriages, the Chief Minister said that there was nothing inherently wrong with a Mizo woman choosing to marry outside her community. However, he noted that under existing customary understanding, a woman who marries outside the community forfeits her tribal identity, and consequently her children cannot claim tribal status.
He further stated that there is no specific provision in Mizo customary law affirming that a woman continues to retain tribal identity after marrying outside the community, and that such marriages may result in the denial of certain community rights.
Pu Lalduhoma emphasised that the matter warrants careful consideration and suggested that a committee be constituted to examine the issue further.
He also observed that in an increasingly interconnected “global village”, it would be impossible to prevent individuals from marrying outside their community, adding that such trends are likely to continue. He urged Mizos to adopt a more open-minded approach, noting that he personally knows several women who have married outside the community and described them as good individuals.
Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma said that the recently passed The Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is not solely a government initiative, but the outcome of recommendations made by a review committee comprising representatives from ten non-governmental organisations.
The Chief Minister made the remarks while responding to a private resolution moved by Congress MLA Pu C. Ngunlianchunga in the House today, amid ongoing debate surrounding the Bill on social media.
Clarifying the origins of the legislation, Pu Lalduhoma stated that the amendment was the result of deliberations by a review committee that included representatives from the Central Young Mizo Association, Mizo Upa Pawl, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl, Council of Churches in Mizoram, Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee, Mizoram State Commission for Women, Mizoram Law College, Mizoram Bar Association, experts from Mizoram University, and officials tasked with reviewing Mizo cultural practices and traditions.
Addressing concerns regarding inter-community marriages, the Chief Minister said that there was nothing inherently wrong with a Mizo woman choosing to marry outside her community. However, he noted that under existing customary understanding, a woman who marries outside the community forfeits her tribal identity, and consequently her children cannot claim tribal status.
He further stated that there is no specific provision in Mizo customary law affirming that a woman continues to retain tribal identity after marrying outside the community, and that such marriages may result in the denial of certain community rights.
Pu Lalduhoma emphasised that the matter warrants careful consideration and suggested that a committee be constituted to examine the issue further.
He also observed that in an increasingly interconnected “global village”, it would be impossible to prevent individuals from marrying outside their community, adding that such trends are likely to continue. He urged Mizos to adopt a more open-minded approach, noting that he personally knows several women who have married outside the community and described them as good individuals.