Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has assured that the State government will not implement rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, without first conducting extensive consultations with all stakeholders, amid growing discussions and concerns surrounding the proposed enforcement of the decades-old legislation. The assurance was given during a meeting on Monday with newly elected members of the central executive committee of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), which has strongly opposed the implementation of the Act and raised concerns about its possible impact on religious freedom and social harmony in the state. The meeting comes at a time when debate over the legislation has intensified following recent developments related to the framing of rules required for its implementation. According to the Chief Minister, the government remains committed to ensuring that all communities are heard before any decision is taken.
Describing the interaction with the Arunachal Christian Forum as positive and constructive, Khandu said the government’s approach would be guided by the principles of peace, inclusiveness and mutual respect among all religious communities.“In our beautiful State, no religious community should ever feel hurt, excluded, or alienated. Every faith, every tradition, and every citizen is an invaluable part of the Arunachal family,” the Chief Minister said in a post shared on social media platform X after the meeting.The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act was passed by the State Assembly in 1978 with the objective of prohibiting religious conversions carried out through force, fraud or inducement. However, despite being enacted nearly five decades ago, the legislation never became operational because the rules necessary for its implementation were not framed. The issue returned to public discussion after a committee headed by retired Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey submitted draft rules for the Act to the State government on June 8. The submission of the draft rules revived debate among different sections of society, with opinions sharply divided over the future of the legislation.
Several indigenous faith-based organisations have supported the move to frame and implement the rules. They argue that the law is intended to prevent forced or fraudulent religious conversions and help preserve traditional indigenous belief systems and cultural heritage. On the other hand, Christian organisations have expressed reservations and opposition to the proposed implementation. They have voiced concerns that the enforcement of the Act could affect religious freedom and potentially create misunderstandings among communities. Following the meeting with the Chief Minister, the Arunachal Christian Forum stated that it had received assurances from the government that no rules would be enforced without comprehensive consultations involving all concerned stakeholders. The forum also reiterated its long-standing demand for the repeal of the Act. While describing the discussion with Khandu as constructive, the organisation announced the suspension of a state-wide vehicle rally that had been planned for June 18 as part of its protest programme. However, the ACF clarified that it has not withdrawn its agitation entirely. The organisation said its district units have been instructed to remain prepared for future action if the assurances provided by the government are not fulfilled. The controversy surrounding the Act has also attracted attention from political parties and civil society organisations. The People’s Party of Arunachal, an ally of the ruling BJP, recently opposed the implementation of the legislation and called for a special session of the State Assembly to discuss the matter in detail. Meanwhile, Human Rights of Arunachal, a rights-based organisation, has urged the government to reconsider recommendations related to the implementation of the Act and ensure that all viewpoints are taken into account before moving forward.
