Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has sparked off a major political row for sporting Tilaks while attending a programme in another State and taking part in several pujas despite belonging from the Christian community ahead of the State Assembly poll on November 25.
Photographs of Lal Thanhawla sporting a Tilak and attending pujas appeared in a local newspaper and Mizoram Democratic Alliance(MDA) accused him of hurting the sentiments of the Christian dominant Mizoram society and creating fear of being swamped by larger Hindu populations.
Mizo National Front(MNF) even took out processions in the State to protest the Chief Minister’s alleged practice of another religion.
Lal Thanhawla’s comment that even Christian pastors wore Tilaks when they go outside the State triggered a controversy and the powerful Presbyter Church condemned it.
“The campaign and counter campaign over the Tilak issue is a dangerous trend and needs to be contained,” said Lallian Chunga, a professor in Mizoram University.