On the morning of 20th December 2018, I was shocked to read the editorial of The
Hindu titled "Change in Mizoram" which was about the recent election outcome in the Northeastern state of Mizoram.
The editorial had a line "The BJP managed to mark its first and only victory in the State by winning the Chakma refugee-dominated Tuichawng seat in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district." (italics are mine)
Referring the indigenous Chakma tribe as "refugee" was a shocker for every educated person who is acquainted with Mizoram and one who respects The Hindu as one of the most credible media institutions. Because, Chakmas are Scheduled Tribes in Mizoram and for the protection of their distinct ethnicity, three minority groups were given political autonomy in the form of Autonomous District Council established under Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. These three ethnic communities are Chakma, Mara and Lai. Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) was established under the Constitution of India in 1972, together with the Mara and Lai.
The "Tuichawng seat" referred to in the editorial comprises of the entire territory of the Chakma Autonomous District Council. How come a tribe who have constitutional status and protection be refugees? So, how can The Hindu err so much? Calling the Chakmas of Mizoram as "refugees" is an assault on their dignity as citizens of India.
As a duty bound citizen, I wrote a letter to the Editor, pointing out the mistake, at the same time lodging the strongest protest and seeking a rectification of the mistake.
The next day, 21 December, The Hindu made the necessary correction in the editorial and ran a line of regret below it, read as "An earlier version of this article inadvertently used "refugee" to refer to the Chakma tribe. The error is regretted."
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| The Hindu (original editorial), 20.12.2018 |
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| The Hindu editorial after correction, 21.12.2018 |
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| The Hindu offers a regret for the mistake |
