Aizawl — Mizoram’s largest women’s organisation, the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), has urged the state government to withdraw the Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property (Amendment) Bill, saying the law passed by the state legislature on February 24 is “inadequate” and potentially “unsafe” for Mizo tribal women. The bill, tabled by Chief Minister Lalduhoma in his capacity as Law Minister, introduces major changes to customary marriage and inheritance rules while also including a contentious identity clause.
The legislation bans polygamy and grants women the right to claim up to 50% of matrimonial property and assets acquired jointly during marriage, a provision the government frames as strengthening women’s financial security. However, the MHIP and other critics say a separate clause would strip a Mizo woman of her Mizo identity and deny her children Scheduled Tribe (ST) entitlements if she marries a non‑Mizo — a provision Chief Minister Lalduhoma reportedly explained as: “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.”
The MHIP, which said it was represented on the Mizo Customary Law Committee, accused the government of not consulting or informing the organisation about the bill’s specific provisions during drafting. In its statement the MHIP called for a formal review and for the bill’s withdrawal, warning that the identity clause could have far‑reaching social and legal consequences for women and their children.
Supporters of the property clause argue it protects women’s economic rights on divorce, while some male members voiced concern during debate that a 50% claim could encourage “unreasonable divorce” for material gain. Presenting the bill, the Chief Minister maintained it was drafted based on a consensus of key NGOs — including the MHIP — a claim the MHIP disputes. The row now sets the stage for further consultations or legal scrutiny as stakeholders press for clarity on the bill’s social and constitutional impact.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/mizoram/mizoram-mizo-womens-body-calls-amendment-bill-unsafe-seeks-formal-review.html
Category: Mizoram,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2026-02-28 09:29:00
