Introduction
Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced on Friday that the state is set to implement the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religious Act, 1978, which has been dormant until now. This act entails prohibition of any forceful religious conversions.
Source- Hindustan times
About the act
The Act was passed in 1978, 46 years ago, under the tenure of Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, P.K. Thungon. It aimed to curb fraudulent or inducement activities that force religious conversions and order two years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10,000 for violations. It was done in order to preserve the indigenous faith and culture of Arunachal Pradesh, which has been continuously facing the forceful conversions and threatening indigenous tribes. However, after the four decades of passing of the law, no considerable actions were taken to implement the act.
A public interest litigation was filed by one of the citizens, Tambo Tamim, who wanted the court’s intervention to look into the matter as the state had not framed any law or rules for the implementation of the act, even after 46 years.
Following this, Gauhati Court ordered the state to finalize the rules regarding the implementation of the Freedom of Religion Act within six months.
Source- Arunachal Times
Khandu’s statement
On 28 December, Friday, at the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu announced that the implementation of a properly structured religious act would happen soon. He praised P.K. Thungon, under whose tenure this act was passed. This act was lying dormant until a recent directive was issued by the Gauhati High Court, which mandated the state government for the formation of the structural framework of this act within 3 months.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister emphasized that the implementation of this act would preserve the culture and faith of the people of Arunachal, and they would not be subjected to any forceful religious conversions, citing examples of indigenous tribes disappearing globally.
Khandu also praised IFCSAP and the contributions that are made by local citizens and volunteers for their dedicated efforts to preserve indigenous tribes, language, and institutions. Other efforts include the establishment of Indigenous Affairs in 2017 by the government to protect Indigenous tribes and their culture in collaboration with IFCSAP and community-based organizations. He also stated that the government initiatives alone could not achieve the desired results; the responsibility also lies in the hands of the 26 major tribes of the state.
