On Wednesday, April 29, thousands of people across Arunachal Pradesh took part in coordinated protests led by the Arunachal Christian Forum demanding full repeal of the 1978 Arunachal Pradesh Religious Freedom Act (APFRA). Demonstrations and sit-ins were reported in the state capital Itanagar and several districts including the Namni-Dibang valley, West Siang, East Kameng and Kamle, where Christian community members said the law violates religious freedom and infringes constitutional rights.
At an Itanagar meeting, Arunachal Christian Forum president James Techi Tarai voiced strong dissatisfaction with the law and reaffirmed that calls for its repeal have persisted for the past 50 years. He said protesters view APFRA as an obstacle to the free practice of religion in a democratic country and alleged that the statute disproportionately targets Christians. Tarai also expressed concern that multiple meetings with state authorities have produced no substantive outcome or constructive support.
The APFRA, enacted in 1978, was originally framed to prevent conversions by inducement or coercion. Activists say the law’s implementing rules were not enforced for many years, but renewed discussions about enforcement have alarmed the Christian community and civil-society groups. Supporters of the law counter that its revival is necessary to protect local beliefs and traditional practices.
State officials, the protesters say, remain engaged in talks with various stakeholders, but no unanimous decision has been reached. Demonstrators warned that if their demand for repeal is not met, they will intensify the movement through democratic means. All eyes are on the government’s next steps as tensions over APFRA continue to shape public debate in the state.
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/arunachal-pradesh-religious-freedom-act/
Category: Popular Stories,অৰুণাচল,উত্তৰ-পূব,শীর্ষ সংবাদ
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Publish Date: 2026-05-03 21:30:00
