Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio took a jibe at the Congress manifesto over LGBTQIA+ rights while addressing a rally recently. Rio took a pointed jab at the Congress manifesto’s portrayal of the LGBTQIA+ community, which categorized them alongside senior citizens and people with disabilities as individuals needing sympathy and protection.
The Congress manifesto proposes the enactment of a law recognizing civil unions among LGBTQIA+ couples “after wide consultation.” Reacting to this, Rio remarked, “They want to recognize these people after wide consultation.”
Expressing concern over the perceived clash with traditional and Christian values, Rio asserted, “It is not our tradition, it is not Christian habits, it is not Christian values and this needs to be widely discussed.” He further suggested seeking guidance from church bodies to determine the appropriateness of such measures.
“When law recognizes this group, it will affect your children and grandchildren and there will be no system,” he asserted, underscoring his unwavering commitment to Christian principles.
Rio made these remarks during a campaign rally for Timothy Zimik, the NPF/NDA candidate for Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency at Maram Bazar, Senapati on 20 April.