GUWAHATI: Thousands recently gathered in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, to demand the long-awaited implementation of an anti-conversion law that dates back 47 years. The Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) spearheaded this powerful demonstration.
According to Pai Dawe, Vice-President of IFCSAP, more than 10,000 individuals participated in the rally, urging the government to enforce the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, originally passed in 1978.
The IFCSAP leadership firmly refuted claims suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were behind the rally. Emi Rumi, the society’s president, emphasized that the Act is not aimed at any particular religion but rather “seeks to protect all religions and preserve the indigenous cultures in the State.”
However, Christian communities within the State view the Act differently, labeling it “discriminatory and divisive” and arguing that it unfairly targets them. The Arunachal Christian Forum has consistently voiced its opposition to the law’s enforcement.
After lying dormant for many decades, the Freedom of Religion Act re-entered public discourse in September 2024. A ruling by the Gauhati High Court, in response to a petition, mandated the Arunachal Pradesh government to finalize the Act’s draft rules within six months – a task that remains uncompleted.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has acknowledged the High Court’s directive, highlighting the necessity of implementing the Act. The law includes provisions for both imprisonment and financial penalties for individuals found guilty of converting others through coercion, inducement, or deceptive means.
IFCSAP members express deep concern over the rising rate of conversions among tribal populations to other religions. They contend that without the protective framework of this Act, the unique indigenous faiths of the region face an imminent threat of extinction.
Statistical data presented by the indigenous faith body reveals a dramatic shift in religious demographics: the Christian population reportedly surged from less than 1% in 1971 to over 30% by 2011. In stark contrast, the proportion of those practicing indigenous faiths and other traditional religions plummeted from more than 63% to approximately 26% during the same period.
Additionally, the Buddhist population in Arunachal Pradesh saw a decrease from roughly 13% in 1971 to just under 12% in 2011. Meanwhile, the Hindu population experienced growth, increasing by about 7% to reach 29.03% in 2011.