‘What Is Our Identity in India?’ Anguished Mizo Man Asks

The people of Mizoram tell us why their vote matters this election.

For the first time, we are seeing the emergence of the ZPM, NPP and the BJP.

(Photo: Erum Gour/The Quint)

Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui

India’s smallest state, Mizoram, goes to polls on 28 November. Since 2008, elections have gone the Congress way. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has been elected for the fifth time to the office.

So will this election be different? Apparently, it might just.

“In the past, it has been a two-sided contest between the Congress and the Mizo National Front, other parties were usually sidelined. But for the first time, we are seeing the coming up of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the National Peoples’ Party (NPP) and the BJP.”

B Zara, Associate Professor, Sociology Department, Mizoram University

That’s the political development brewing in the state. Despite the result, what the people from the state really want is “basic infrastructure, a world-class educational system” and “a leader who loves the state more than anything else”.

“My vote will make a difference this election because I hope to see a good and reliable government which loves our state more than anything else. More than money or itself.”

Amuani, Student

But the larger issue that is still a major concern to the people is, what is their identity in India?

“We see that people are actively questioning, ‘what is our stand vis-à-vis the Indian government?’. As well as ‘what is our larger Indian identity?’ I think this needs to be redressed. People are feeling Indian. People identify as Indian, but this needs to be reinforced.”

B Zara, Associate Professor, Sociology Department, Mizoram University

Till then, they hope that party who comes to power will address their grievances.