Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the state is preparing a detailed Freedom of Religion Act. He explained that the law will be well-organized to make it clear and fair. The goal is to address issues related to religious conversions while protecting constitutional rights. Khandu assured that the act will uphold the state’s values of secularism and harmony.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced on Friday that the dormant Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, will soon be implemented in the state.
Speaking at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) in Itanagar, Khandu expressed gratitude to the first Chief Minister, PK Thungon, who oversaw the Act’s passage in 1978. The Act aims to “prohibit conversion from one religious faith to another through force, inducement, or fraudulent means.”
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Khandu noted that a recent directive from the Gauhati High Court has prompted the state government to frame rules for the Act’s execution.
Highlighting its significance in preserving Arunachal’s indigenous faith and culture he stated,
“The process of framing the rules is underway, and soon we will have a properly structured Freedom of Religion Act in place,”
Emphasizing the interconnection between “faith” and “culture,” Khandu warned against their separation. He cited the global disappearance of various indigenous tribes and cultures, stressing the importance of preserving Arunachal Pradesh’s unique identity.
He remarked,
“Most of the credit goes to the pioneers of IFCSAP and hundreds of volunteers who dedicated themselves to preserving indigenous culture,”
He reiterated, “Loss of culture is loss of identity,” and expressed pride in Arunachal’s ability to maintain its cultural integrity amidst modernization.
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Khandu paid tribute to champions of indigenous faith and culture such as Golgi Bote and others, and noted that the state government established the Department of Indigenous Affairs in 2017 to collaborate with IFCSAP and community-based organizations in preserving indigenous culture and languages.
However, he cautioned that the responsibility for this preservation lies not only with the government but also with the 26 major tribes of the state. He also mentioned that the process to rename the Department of Indigenous Affairs has begun and assured his support for the indigenous movement.
Khandu called on IFCSAP and its associates to continue their efforts in safeguarding the state’s indigenous culture, faith, and languages for future generations.