Inconclusive Meeting Between Christian Forum and Arunachal Home Minister Regarding Freedom of Religion Act

Itanagar, Feb 21 (NationPress) In the midst of ongoing protests against the enforcement of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) convened a significant meeting with the state's Home Minister, Mama Natung, on Friday, which ultimately yielded no conclusive outcomes.

Following the pivotal discussions, ACF President Tarh Miri reported that Minister Natung indicated that the government would persist in dialogue regarding their concerns and would schedule a subsequent meeting in the near future.

“The Home Minister mentioned that the government, in compliance with the Gauhati High Court directive, is required to establish rules to implement the APFRA, 1978. Nevertheless, he assured that the state government will continue to engage with ACF on this matter,” Miri stated to IANS.

He further noted that, as previously declared, the ACF plans to organize a peaceful protest in front of the state Assembly on March 6, advocating for the repeal of the APFRA and will determine further actions thereafter.

On February 17, the ACF conducted an eight-hour hunger strike at NIIS Nyokum Ground in Borum, located in the Naharlagun Circle, to voice their dissent against the APFRA, 1978.

The ACF, which is the leading organization representing Christians in Arunachal Pradesh, has been actively opposing the enforcement of the APFRA, asserting that the law, once enacted, would adversely affect Christians in the region and restrict their freedom of religion.

According to the 2011 census, the Christian demographic in Arunachal Pradesh stands at 4.19 lakh (30.26 percent) of the state's total population of 13.84 lakh.

In the meantime, Chief Minister Pema Khandu urged the citizens of the state not to ‘misinterpret’ the APFRA, 1978, for which the regulatory framework is being developed following the directives of the Gauhati High Court.

During his speech at the 39th Statehood Day celebration in Itanagar on Thursday, the Chief Minister emphasized that the Act, which was enacted in the Assembly in 1978 under the leadership 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 rather to safeguard the state’s rich cultural heritage.

“Since 1978, the Act has existed merely as a two-page document. The rules were never established. However, when an individual raised the matter in the Gauhati High Court, the Court (Itanagar bench) mandated that the state government formulate the rules within six months. The relevant department and the state government are adhering to the court's orders, and the initial draft is currently being developed,” he explained.

The Chief Minister reassured that the Act is not against any religion but serves the interests of all. He expressed regret over certain individuals misrepresenting it by attributing political and religious connotations.

“Some individuals are misrepresenting it on social media and mainstream media platforms. This undermines peace and communal harmony in the state,” Khandu remarked.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government's doors are always open for inquiries and discussions to clarify any misconceptions regarding the Act.