Arunachal: Indigenous community demands use of anti-conversion law

Itanagar: The Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) on Sunday staged protests across the state, including the capital, reiterating its demand for early implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 or the anti-conversion law.

The IFCSAP members staged the protests at various prayer and cultural centers of the state including the Nyedar Namlo, Golgi Bote Gangging, Kargu Gamgi, Meder Nello, Donyi Polo Namlo, Tancho Klumya, Rangshomhum, etc.

The society has also been demanding the renaming of the department of indigenous affairs (DIA) to its already notified name — department of indigenous faith and cultural affairs (DIFCA).

IFCSAP general secretary Tambo Tamin said chief minister Pema Khandu had assured to look into the demands of the society during his meeting with the IFCSAP members in March this year, however, the same is yet to be fulfilled.

“We appeal to the state government to live up to its assurance and fulfill our demands at the earliest,” Tamin said.

The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, though never enforced in the state, prohibits the conversion from one religious faith to any other religious faith by use of force or inducement or by fraudulent means and for matters connected therewith.

The Act was passed in 1978 and also received the assent of the President of India on October 25 in the same year.

Chief Minister Khandu had in 2018 made an announcement to repeal the Act. He had, however, assured that the state government would consider views and suggestions of every stakeholder before that.

According to the 2011 census, Christianity accounts for 30.26% of the state’s total population with 29.04 % being Hindus and 26.2 % practicing other religions.

Also Read | CM Pema Khandu flags in Trans-Arunachal Drive in Tawang