IMPHAL, Nov 6: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Chief Spokesperson Hareshwar Goshwami on Wednesday expressed strong disapproval of recent statements made by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, calling them a threat to India’s unity and integrity. Goshwami accused the Mizoram CM of promoting divisive ideas and questioned the lack of response from the central and state governments.
The controversy began after Lalduhoma addressed a Kuki diaspora gathering in the United States on September 4, 2024. He reportedly advocated for uniting the Kuki people under a single leadership, transcending borders between India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Lalduhoma’s remarks described the Kuki people as “one people—brothers and sisters—unjustly divided under three different governments,” a sentiment that has since sparked significant debate and concern over the implications for India’s territorial integrity.
The statement, officially endorsed by Mizoram’s Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), has been viewed by Congress as an alarming stance. Responding to the remarks, Goshwami condemned them as “unfortunate,” comparing them to previous statements allegedly made by former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about creating a separate, Christian-majority nation for the Kuki people.
“This is contrary to our values as a united nation under a parliamentary democracy. Such rhetoric seeks to sow division,” Goshwami asserted. He questioned why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at both the central and state levels has remained silent on the issue, suggesting that this inaction could further divide communities in the region. “Is this a deliberate attempt to deepen divisions in the valley?” he asked, emphasizing the need for prompt action from the government.
The Congress spokesperson reaffirmed his party’s commitment to maintaining India’s unity and democratic framework, calling the Mizoram CM’s remarks a direct challenge to national cohesion. “Why is the BJP at both state and central levels staying silent?” Goshwami demanded, pressing for a unified response to what he deemed a serious threat to the social harmony and integrity of the region.
