Mizoram BJP forms 'Missionary Cell' to shed "anti-Christian"

In order to shed the "anti- Christian party" tag, the BJP has set up a 'Missionary Cell' in Christian-dominated Mizoram, a senior party leader said here on Wednesday.

The Cell was formed in view of some political parties and churches branding the BJP as an anti-Christian party, BJP state president Prof John V Hluna said at a meeting of party workers after inaugurating it.

Christians constitute around 87 per cent of the population of Mizoram, according to the 2011 Census.

The Congress had accused the BJP of being an anti- Christian party during campaigning for the state assembly election held in November last year.

At that time, the Congress was in power in the state and it was ousted by the Mizo National Front (MNF), a constituent of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) headed by the saffron party.

Hluna said the Cell was set up after obtaining the approval of the BJP North East Zonal General Secretary Ajay Jamwal.

"The Constitution gives religious freedom as fundamental rights which allow the Mizo Christians to profess and propagate Christianity anywhere in the country," he said at a meeting of party workers.

But many times Mizo Christian Missionaries face religious persecution and even attacks while propagating Christianity in other states, Hluna said adding that this Cell will assist them in such situations.

A round-the-clock helpline has also been created for the Mizo missionaries across India, he said.