The Mizoram state legislative assembly unanimously adopted an official resolution today, moved by State Education Minister Vanlalthlana, seeking the inclusion of the Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Participating in the discussion, Chief Minister Lalduhoma expressed his gratitude to the Mizo Language Development Board (MLDB), which had initiated the resolution after consulting with all stakeholders in the state.
Addressing concerns raised by some members that the inclusion of the Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution might adversely affect the Scheduled Tribe status of the Mizos, Lalduhoma stated that the Mizos are already recognized as a Scheduled Tribe under the 1950 Scheduled Tribe Order, and this order remains in effect.
However, he suggested that all political parties should unite to make the entire state a scheduled area under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, as has been done in the case of Meghalaya.