Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced on Tuesday that the government will form a committee with representatives from different religious groups. The committee will provide feedback before the state finalises the rules for the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978.
During a discussion in the Assembly, Khandu assured lawmakers that the government would handle the matter carefully to avoid religious tensions in the state.
The Act, which has been inactive for 46 years, is now being reviewed following a September 2024 order from the Gauhati High Court. The court, acting on a petition by local resident Tambo Tamin, directed the government to finalize the rules within six months.
Khandu, however, said the government would request more time from the court to ensure that all religious communities are consulted before drafting the final rules.
Not targeted at any religion
Khandu clarified that the Act is not meant to favour or target any particular religion. He explained that while the Act has existed for decades, the absence of proper rules has made it ineffective.
“If anyone thinks the government is misleading the people, they can go to court. If we had bad intentions, we could have framed the rules secretly,” Khandu stated.
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Concerns from Lawmakers
Several legislators voiced their concerns about the possible social and political effects of implementing the Act.
- BJP MLA Wangling Lowangdong urged the government to build a broad consensus before finalizing the rules.
- NCP MLA Toko Tatung warned that the Act could cause communal tensions, saying that without peace and unity, development efforts would suffer.
- NCP MLA Nikh Kamin worried that the Act could be misused if not carefully implemented.
- NPP MLA Thangwang Wangham acknowledged protests from groups like the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) and called for a detailed review.
Different opinions on the Act
The Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) and the state government argue that the law is necessary to protect indigenous faiths and traditions. However, the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) believes that it discriminates against Christians.
The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, was passed under then-Chief Minister P.K. Thungon’s Janata Party government and approved by the President on October 25, 1978.
The Act aims to prevent forced religious conversions through fraud or inducement. It includes penalties of up to two years in jail and fines of up to ₹10,000.
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