Sunday mass as tool: Politics in Mizoram mingles with spirituality

Aizawl, Nov 17: As the Assembly polls are inching closure in Mizoram, where about 90 per cent of people practise Christianity, political parties are using Sunday Mass to connect with the electorate.

In Christian majority Mizoram, Sunday is not only a holiday but also a day when everything comes to a halt, including political campaigns, as nothing is more important than their weekly routine of going to Church.

Active campaigning takes a backseat on the day of rest as leaders of all main political parties visit churches in their respective constituencies to hold Bible classes.

The all powerful Presbyterian Chruch controlled Mizoram People's Forum (MPF), an election watchdog, has prohibited any kind of political campaigns in Mizoram on Sundays.

"Sunday is a holiday in Mizoram, whether its political campaign or offices. Everything comes to a halt on Sundays. We too visit churches on Sunday for prayers," campaign head of Mizoram Pradesh Congress David M Thangliana said.

Main opposition party Mizoram National Front (MNF), former chief minister Zoramthanga, President of the regional Zoram Nationalist Party Lalduhawma, and even Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla take Bible classes in churches in their respective localities or constituencies.(More) PTI PNT CR SHS