Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Aug 12: The Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has strongly condemned the August 7 resolution passed by the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) calling for the repeal of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 (APFRA).
Addressing a press conference, IFCSAP President Dr. Emi Rumi expressed “deep disappointment” at the APCC’s stand, accusing the party of siding with a single religious group and disregarding the sentiments of indigenous faith followers. “Is the APCC now only for Christians?” Rumi questioned, adding that such selective advocacy undermines social cohesion.
The IFCSAP reminded that APFRA was enacted in 1978 under the Congress-led administration as a safeguard against aggressive and coercive religious conversions that could threaten the state’s indigenous cultural integrity.
Citing census data, the organisation highlighted a sharp rise in conversions to Christianity since the 1970s — from 0.79% in 1971 to over 30% by 2011 — and warned of a “lost generation” disconnected from ancestral roots if legal protections were removed.
Clarifying constitutional aspects, IFCSAP stressed that APFRA does not violate Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. Referring to the Supreme Court’s 1977 Rev. Stanislaus vs State of MP judgment, it argued that while individuals have the right to practice and propagate religion, this does not include the right to forcibly convert others through force, fraud, or inducement.
The society also pointed out that 11 other Indian states have enacted similar laws to protect vulnerable communities from coercive conversions, and warned against trends like “love jihad” potentially impacting Arunachal’s demographic and cultural balance.
Calling for an end to “political misuse” of APFRA, IFCSAP urged the APCC to withdraw its resolution and uphold true secularism by protecting all communities equally. “APFRA is not a tool of discrimination — it is a shield for the vulnerable, marginalized, and indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh,” Dr. Rumi said.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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