Conclusion
The state-church interface is a significant topic of political discourse since the evolution of Christianity and it was deliberated by political thinkers of the medieval and modern period.
The issue of the state-church dichotomy or interface is comprehended in terms of secularism as enshrined in the constitution of many countries and in the Constitution of India as well. The negotiation of this interface is also required for the management of crisis between the state and the church in the political system. Mizoram also experiences the interface between the state and the church and discourse in different eras, such as the colonial era, District Council era, Union Territory era, and statehood era. The main issue of this interface in the statehood era is on the issue of the liquor policy of certain ruling parties. Other than the liquor issue, free use of government properties by church, involvement of pastors in active politics, the importance given to some political leaders in church programmes rather than pastors, the inauguration of church programmes by political leaders and government officials, the invitation of some political leaders by some church denominational group in Church Assembly, etc. are major debatable issues involving the state-church interface. Therefore, the state-church interface should be analysed, negotiated, and settled amicably for the common good of the society, church, and state as well.Notes
1 The origin of the word ‘Secularism’ can be traced to western countries which relates to the separation of the state from the church and it professes a position of neutrality of the state towards different religious groups. The word ‘secular’ is also used more or less as contrasting with ‘religious’, but in the Indian context it is not anti-religion but equal treatment of all religions without discrimination (Fadia 1991:99-100).
2 Zo is professed as a generic and inclusive terminology for identifying the kindred tribes who are known as Kuki-Chin tribes or Chin-Kuki Mizo group. The terminology began to be used popularly at the formation of Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) at Champhai, Mizoram in 1988 and it is now a popular terminology for identifying the kindred tribes who are ethnically, culturally, linguistically, and culturally related and who trace their common origin from mythological caves known as Chhinlung, Sinlung, Khul, Khurpui, Khutu bi jur, Hurpi, Khor, Puk, and Lungkua.
3 The tribes and communities who are not within the Chhinlung or Khul origin people and who are ethnically, historically, linguistically, and culturally different from the Zo ethnic group are classified as non-Zo ethnic group, namely Chakma, Bru, Gurkha (Nepali), and other plain communities.
4 The church played a significant role for bringing both the MNF leaders and Government of India to the negotiating table though some hurdles were faced mid-way. Just after the bombing of Aizawl and different places of Mizoram by the Indian Air Force as a result of the unilateral declaration of independence of Mizoram on 1 March 1966 by the MNF, the Christian Peace Committee was formed where different church denominational groups were represented. The committee met MNF leaders at their jungle headquarters and also met representatives of the Government of India; and the repeated appeals of the Christian Peace Committee convinced the MNF leaders to negotiate with the Government of India. The tireless effort of the Christian Peace Committee since 1966 bore fruit and the Mizoram Accord could be signed on 30 June 1986.
5 Mizoram has been known for conduct of free and fair polls since the District Council era and there was never any poll related violence in the state. However, as the involvement of some armed groups from outside the state was said to be detected in 2003 State Legislative Assembly election, the Presbyterian Church of Mizoram (PCM) took the initiative for adopting corrective measures to fight against poll related violence in line with the teaching of the Bible.
Subsequently, the Mizoram People Forum (MPF) was formed in 2004 and it regularly takes initiative in all elections from Village Council to MP (Lok Sabha) so as to purify and clean elections. The MPF strictly enforces the Model Code of Conduct of the Election Commission of India with Biblical teachings.6 Different church denominational groups use government vehicles, halls, and buildings for different church programmes, but payment is made by the users as per government norms and rules. Different church denominational groups allowed the government to use their church halls and Sunday school buildings for quarantine purpose during the covid-19 pandemic.
7 The Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitu Committee (MKHC) also literally known as Mizoram Church Leaders Committee is an association of the church leaders of Mizoram where all church denominational groups are represented. The standpoint of the church and dos and don’ts of the church are usually decided and publicised by MHKC from time to time. Further, the MKHC also circulates its decision to different church denominational groups and it is the apex body of the various church denominational groups of Mizoram which is often consulted by the state government.
8 Legislature of the British India Province during colonial rule was known as Legislative Council (Rao and Hazarika 198: 38) and it was known as Legislative Assembly or Vidhyan Sabha (Lower House) and Legislative Council or Vidhayn Parishad (Upper House) after the independence of India as per the provision, provided in Article 168 of the Constitution of India. Members of the Lower House are known as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Members of the Upper House are known as Member of Legislative Council (MLC) (Bakshi 2006:147). However, many states have unicameral legislature; and only few big states have bicameral legislature.
9 The appointment of Rev Zosangliana Colney, ordained Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Mizoram by Congress Government as Chairman of the Mizoram Public Service Commission (MPSC) in 2017 and the candidature of Rev Dr K.
Thanzauva, ordained Pastor of the Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM) and prominent church leader from Lunglei South III from ZPM in the State Legislative Assembly election of 2018 happened to be the heated deliberation of people of Mizoram whether it is the right thing for a pastor to be engaged in an official position by government as well as to be involved in active politics.References
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