Itanagar: Amid escalating tensions over the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes’ Forum (AITF) has issued a plea for calm, urging all parties involved to refrain from provocative actions.
The AITF expressed concern that recent protests, including hunger strikes by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) and rallies by the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), are threatening the peace and stability of the state.
The core of the dispute lies in the contentious APFRA, which aims to prevent forced religious conversions. The IFCSAP and the state government argue that the law is essential for preserving indigenous culture and faith, while the ACF maintains that it discriminates against the Christian community. The AITF has now called upon “political parties, ACF, IFCSAP, and the public to refrain from making provocative statements that could escalate tensions,” emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue.
In an effort to foster a more inclusive process, the AITF has encouraged all stakeholders to actively participate in the rule-framing process by providing inputs through appropriate discussions. The forum also urged the state government to circulate the draft rules for public feedback, ensuring a participatory approach. This call for transparency follows a directive from the Gauhati High Court in September of the previous year, which mandated the state government to frame rules under Section 8 of the APFRA within six months.
The tension reached a peak during the budget session of the 8th legislative assembly in Itanagar, when the Christian forum staged a massive protest in Borum. More than 20,000 Christians from across the state gathered to voice their opposition to the implementation of APFRA, which has remained dormant for 46 years. The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) general secretary and spokesperson, Kon Jirjo Jotham, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to protecting the rights of minorities, including Christians and indigenous people, and urged the BJP government to initiate a dialogue between the ACF and other stakeholders.
Furthering its commitment to a collaborative approach, the AITF announced plans to form a consultative committee to study the draft rules and gather inputs from community-based organisations through a joint consultative forum (JCF). AITF general secretary Tapi Tai stated, “The committee will seek inputs from community-based organisations and deliberate on the matter through the JCF for wider consultation.”
During the Statehood Day function on February 20, Chief Minister Pema Khandu sought to allay fears, reassuring that the newly framed rules under APFRA were not intended to target any religious community but to safeguard indigenous culture and beliefs. Khandu acknowledged the 46-year existence of the Act and the need for formal rules, assuring that discussions would be held with officials, stakeholders, and religious leaders to ensure a balanced and inclusive approach.
The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, enacted in 1978 under the Janata Party government led by Chief Minister P K Thungon, and receiving presidential assent on October 25, 1978, aims to prevent forced religious conversions through inducement or fraudulent means. Violations carry penalties, including up to two years of imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 10,000.
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