AIZAWL, July 24: The Mizoram BJP unit today officially launched a missionary cell,
with an aim to remove the
so-called ‘anti-Christian’ tag
from the saffron party.
Lalhriatrenga Chhangte, retired Deputy Controller of
Mines (Indian Bureau of
Mines), has been made the
chairman of the missionary cell
which is, in fact, his brainchild.
Launching the cell, Mizoram
BJP president Prof JV Hluna said Chhangte met BJP’s North
East zonal general secretary
Ajay Jamwal at Guwahati on
June 25 during which the former
offered to join the BJP on condition that the Mizoram BJP
sets up a missionary cell.
“After a detailed discussion, Ajay
gave the nod to setting up of a
missionary cell under the
State BJP. Accordingly,
Chhangte joined the party on
July 12. The State BJP on July
17 released a statement announcing the formation of the
missionary cell,” Hluna said.
Julie Vanpari has been appointed secretary of the cell.
Three committee members
have also been appointed.
Mizoram BJP Missionary Cell Dedicated Team
1. Chairman : Advocate Er. Lalhriatrenga Chhangte
2. Vice Chairman : Rev. Dr. L.R. Colney
3. Secretary : Julie Vanpari
MEMBERS :
1. Upa C. Lalchawimawia
2. Pu V.L. Awia
3. Tv. C. Lalhriatpuia
The
basic objective of the missionary cell is to help Christian
missionaries from Mizoram
working in different parts of
the country and to protect
them from persecution and
baseless allegations levelled
by local people.
The missionary cell will
have a dedicated team that will
address the problems faced by
Christian missionaries and will
soon launch a 24x7 helpline.
The missionary cell is expected to change the BJP’s
unpopular image in the State
that it indulges in communal
politics, a major reason for its
defeat in the Assembly elections held in November, 2018.
This was also the reason why
the Mizo National Front
(MNF), a constituent of the
National Democratic Alliance
(NDA) and the BJP’s North
East Democratic Alliance
(NEDA), distanced itself from
the BJP in the State politics.