Arunachal Pradesh Christian Forum Urges CM Khandu to Halt Process of Implementing Freedom of Religion Act

The ACF has said that Christians in Arunachal Pradesh were apprehensive that if the APFRA is implemented, it would have far-reaching consequences on their constitutional rights, religious freedom, social harmony, and peaceful coexistence among several communities.

The Wire Staff

arunachal pradesh christian forum urges cm khandu to halt process of implementing freedom of religion act

In this image released by @PemaKhanduBJP via X on June 25, 2025, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu pays tribute to Bharatiya Jana Sangh leaders Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed in 1975. Photo: @PemaKhanduBJP via PTI

New Delhi: Expressing concerns over its possible impact on religious freedom and social harmony, the apex body of Christians in Arunachal Pradesh has asked the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to stop the process of framing and notifying rules for a 48-year-old anti-conversion law, reported The Hindu.

In September 2024, the Gauhati high court had directed the state government to frame and notify the rules for the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), which was introduced in 1978 but not implemented.

The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), which is the apex body for Christians in the state on Tuesday (June 2) submitted a memorandum to chief minister Pema Khandu, expressing its “strongest opposition” to the exercise. It also set a 15-day deadline to comply, emphasising that otherwise it will face a series of agitations, including shutdowns.

The ACF has said that Christians in Arunachal Pradesh were apprehensive that if the APFRA is implemented, the law would have far-reaching consequences on their constitutional rights, religious freedom, social harmony, and peaceful coexistence among several communities.

It also alleged that the high-powered committee which is framing the rules of APFRA has shown “undue haste”, a move that has generated resentment among Christians, who form a substantial chunk of the state’s population, reported The Hindu.

The ACF has urged the BJP government in the state to halt the rule-framing process and initiate detailed consultations with all stakeholders on the repeal of the APFRA. It had earlier termed APFRA as “discriminatory and divisive” and alleged that it unfairly targets the state’s Christians population.

The Wire had earlier reported that while the ACF is opposing the move to draft rules, the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) is seeking for its early implementation. The rallies in support of APFRA and counter rallies against have been held in the state.

This article went live on June fourth, two thousand twenty six, at thirty-seven minutes past three in the afternoon.

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