Aizawl, Aug 6 (PTI): An influential organisation of Mizoram on Thursday condemned the trend of using women’s attire on social media to ridicule or demean individuals, saying the practice is degrading to women and should stop immediately.
The condemnation by the state’s apex women’s group came days after the youth wing of the opposition Congress displayed a poster of Chief Minister Lalduhoma wearing a traditional skirt (Pawnfen), implying he does not have manly character, to protest his remarks that allegedly downplayed the significance of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the Mizoram peace accord.
During the Youth Congress’s protest on August 4, a poster depicting Lalduhoma wearing the female garment was displayed.
Addressing a press conference here, leaders of Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) said that regardless of whether it occurs in politics or any other sphere, criticism or satire should not involve the use of women’s attire as a tool for humiliation.
They asserted that using women’s clothing as a symbol of mockery perpetuates discrimination against women and is unacceptable, irrespective of the context.
The organisation also called for greater respect for Mizo cultural heritage by ensuring the proper use of traditional textiles, particularly Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Mizo handwoven cloths.
They claimed that government-prescribed guidelines governing the use of certain Mizo traditional cloths, including ‘Puanchei’ (traditional handwoven wrap-around skirt), ‘Tawlhlohpuan’ (a type of textile) and ‘’Pawndum’ (handwoven fabric), are widely flouted despite their cultural significance.
MHIP specifically objected to the continued use of Puanchei as coffin coverings, tablecloths and wall decorations, describing such practices as contrary to official guidelines.
It urged the public and organisers of events to refrain from using the traditional textile for decorative purposes and to preserve its cultural value.
The organisation also condemned the recent death of a 15-year-old girl at Mualthuma North village in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district, who was suspected to have been killed.
It called for the immediate arrest of anyone found responsible for her death and demanded that the accused be dealt with firmly under the law.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting women’s rights, MHIP leaders said the organisation would continue to take a strong stand against violence, abuse and crimes committed against women and would not remain silent in the face of such incidents.
