Daijiworld Media Network - Itanagar

Itanagar, Mar 9: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has assured that the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, will be implemented in compliance with the Gauhati High Court's directive, while ensuring that no religious community is adversely affected.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Inter-Tribe Festival-2025 in Itanagar, Khandu clarified that the Act neither supports nor opposes any particular faith. He urged youths and the Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) to actively engage in dispelling misconceptions about APFRA.

“We are a secular nation. Religious choices remain personal—whether a Buddhist adopts Hinduism, a Hindu follows Indigenous Faith, or an Indigenous believer converts to Christianity. The Act does not infringe on this freedom,” Khandu emphasized.

The Chief Minister said that framing rules for APFRA is a legal obligation, but assured that this would be done only after consulting all religious communities in the state.

The move, however, has sparked protests from the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), which argues that the Act could curtail religious freedom. Thousands of Christians, under the ACF banner, staged a peaceful dharna in Itanagar on March 6, opposing its implementation.

Earlier, ACF had also organized an eight-hour hunger strike in Naharlagun on February 17. ACF president Tarh Miri stated that over two lakh Christians had gathered at Borum in protest.

Despite discussions with Arunachal’s Home Minister Mama Natung on February 21, no resolution was reached. However, the state government has assured continued dialogue with ACF leaders.

According to the 2011 census, Christians comprise 30.26% of Arunachal Pradesh’s 13.84 lac population.