Itanagar, Feb 5: The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), a prominent religious organisation of Arunachal Pradesh, has announced a series of protests against the state government's decision to implement the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, terming it "unconstitutional" and an infringement on religious rights.
The legislation, enacted 46 years ago during the tenure of former chief minister P K Thungon, seeks to prohibit forced conversions through inducement or fraudulent means. It prescribes penalties of up to two years' imprisonment and fines up to ?10,000 for violations.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Wednesday, ACF president Tarh Miri said the forum has been opposing the Act since its enactment and strongly disapproved of the government’s move to enforce it.
As part of the protest, the ACF has declared a statewide week of prayer and fasting from February 10 to 17, urging the Christian community to observe it solemnly. Miri stated that no celebrations, including birthdays or picnics, should be held during this period.
A hunger strike is scheduled for February 17 at the Tennis Court in Itanagar, followed by a protest march around the state assembly on March 6, coinciding with the assembly session where discussions on the Act are expected.
The forum has sought intervention from the state government and held discussions with MLA Alo Libang and Chief Secretary, but Miri lamented that no positive response has been received so far.
The announcement comes in the wake of Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s statement in December last year, confirming that the state would soon frame rules and implement the dormant Act.
The development follows a directive from the Gauhati High Court, which on September 30 asked the state government to finalise rules under the Freedom of Religion Act within six months. The directive came after a PIL filed by Naharlagun resident Tambo Tamim, who sought the court’s intervention, citing the government’s failure to frame rules even after four decades of the Act being passed.
Emphasising the significance of the Act in preserving indigenous faith and culture, Khandu had said, “A structured Freedom of Religion Act will play a crucial role in protecting Arunachal’s indigenous faith and culture.”
He maintained that ‘faith’ and ‘culture’ are interconnected and stressed the need to preserve the state’s unique traditions, citing concerns over the gradual disappearance of indigenous cultures worldwide.
According to the 2011 Census, Christians make up a significant 30.26% of Arunachal Pradesh's population.
Officials at the government denied commenting on the matter for now.