Arunachal Pradesh 1978 Anti-Conversion Legislation: Christian Forum to Confer with Home Minister Tomorrow
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Arunachal Christian Forum is set to meet Home Minister Mama Natung to discuss concerns regarding the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1978, amidst ongoing protests by the community.
Key Takeaways
- Meeting scheduled between ACF leaders and Home Minister.
- Protests against APFRA, 1978 are ongoing.
- ACF claims the law threatens Christian rights in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Chief Minister urges clarity and understanding of the Act.
- 2011 census reports significant Christian population in the state.
Itanagar, Feb 20 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing protests against the enactment of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, members of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) are scheduled to meet with the state’s Home Minister Mama Natung on Friday to deliberate on their concerns, as stated by officials on Thursday.
A senior representative from the Arunachal Pradesh Home Department mentioned that the state Home Minister had earlier this week requested the ACF to put a halt to their protests and invited them to convene on Friday (February 21) at the state’s civil secretariat to address their grievances.
ACF President Tarh Miri confirmed on Thursday that they will indeed meet the Home Minister to voice their concerns. The ACF is opposing the execution of the APFRA, 1978, arguing that its enforcement would adversely affect Christians in the region.
According to the 2011 census, the Christian population in Arunachal Pradesh stands at 4.19 lakh (30.26 percent) of the total population of 13.84 lakh. The ACF conducted an eight-hour hunger strike at the NIIS Nyokum Ground in Borum, Naharlagun Circle, on February 17 to protest against the APFRA.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu earlier on Thursday urged residents not to ‘misinterpret’ the APFRA, 1978, for which rules are currently being formulated following a directive from the Gauhati High Court.
During his address at the 39th Statehood Day celebration in Itanagar, the Chief Minister clarified that the Act, originally passed in the Assembly in 1978 under the tenure of the state’s first Chief Minister, P K Thungon, when Arunachal Pradesh was a Union Territory, is not intended to target any religion but to safeguard the state’s rich cultural heritage.
“Since 1978, the Act has remained a brief two-page document. No rules were drafted until now. However, when the issue was brought before the Gauhati High Court, the Court (Itanagar bench) mandated the state government to establish rules within six months. The concerned department is adhering to the court’s orders, and a preliminary draft is underway,” he explained.
The Chief Minister vowed that the Act would not discriminate against any religion but would serve the interests of all. He expressed regret that some individuals have misconstrued the Act, attributing political and religious significance to it.
“There are ongoing misinterpretations on social media and traditional media platforms. This is detrimental to peace and communal harmony within the state,” Khandu noted.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government is always available for inquiries and discussions to dispel any misunderstandings regarding the Act.
