Aizawl: Mizoram’s largest women’s organization, the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), has urged the state government to withdraw the recently passed Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property (Amendment) Bill, calling it potentially “unsafe” for Mizo women.
The bill, tabled by Chief Minister Lalduhoma in his capacity as Law Minister, was passed by the state legislature on February 24 following prolonged discussion by members.
While the bill introduces a landmark ban on polygamy and grants women rights to 50% of matrimonial property, it has sparked intense debate over a clause that strips Mizo women of their identity and Scheduled Tribe (ST) status if they marry non-Mizo men.
In a statement, the MHIP described the bill as “inadequate” and potentially “unsafe” for Mizo tribal women, and called for a formal review.
Despite their representation on the Mizo Customary Law Committee, the MHIP claimed they were neither consulted nor informed during the drafting of the bill’s specific provisions.
A major point of contention lies in Lalduhoma’s explanation of a clause stating: “If a Mizo woman marries a non-Mizo, she will cease to retain her Mizo identity, and her children will not be eligible to claim Scheduled Tribe (ST) entitlement.”
Conversely, the legislation seeks to strengthen financial security for women within the community. It allows Mizo women to claim up to 50% of matrimonial property and assets jointly acquired during a marriage in the event of a divorce, a move many male members argued could instigate women to seek “unreasonable divorce” for personal gain.
However, while presenting the bill, the Chief Minister stated that it was drafted based on a consensus of all key NGOs, including the MHIP.