The ‘Onlyism’ damaged the very fabric of peace and harmony in the world and movements like RFPS only can re-establish it
Changlang District in Eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh has long been infested with many problems like onslaught of Christianity over the indigenous faith and culture, drug and wine addiction, social evils, superstitions, separatist movement by underground forces, disunity and differences among the sub-tribes of the area. The district is inhabited by communities like Tangsa and Tutsa.
In order to counter the onslaught of insurgent movements from neighbouring states coupled with conversion at gun point and to revive the indigenous culture and re-instil confidence among the people to follow their own indigenous faith the Rangfraa Faith Promotion Society (RFPS) was founded in 1995 by local social leaders at Changlang. To start activities the local people built a temple (Rangsowmhum) of Rangfraa at New Changlang Village near Changlang Town and installed the first idol of Rangfraa on November 4, 1997.
The temple and prayer movement received widespread support from the people, and Rangsowmhums were established in villages after villages. The increasing number of devotees attending the prayers and worships necessitated the compilation of the hymns of Rangfraa for the reference of the common people. The text on Rangfraaism was ultimately brought into book form in the year 2006. Rangfraa Peace Rally is organised on March 30 after every three or five years to promote the universal peace and brotherhood.
This year also the Peace Rally was organised. More than 6,000 people from four districts participated. The Rangfraites marched with banners of their prayer halls shouting the slogans ‘Loss of Faith is loss of Culture, Loss of Culture is loss of Identity’, ‘Conversion is violence’, ‘Spiritual knowledge and moral values is the core of religion’, Bharat Mata ki Jai, Desh-Dharma ki Raksha Kaun Karega, Hum Karenge Hum Karenge etc. It culminated in a public meeting at Festival Ground.
In his welcome speech RFPS president Shri NK Longchang informed the gathering about the background of the peace rally. RFPS spokesperson Dr JS Mungrey read out the synopsis and progress of Rangfraa movement citing some examples of social reformation and consolidation of faith among the people in last 19 years.
RFPS has succeeded completely in eradication of social evil practices and superstitions from the society.
Secretary General Shri Latsam Khimun said they are not against any religion or organisation, they work as per the God’s will. Parliamentary Secretary of Arunachal government Shri Phosum Khimun appealed to march ahead as it is the movement for self-protection and social harmony. Changlang MLA Shri Tesam Pongte stressed on awareness among downtrodden people and appealed to the workers to reach the unreached and give them real knowledge of dharma.
Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Shri Wanki Lowang appreciated the efforts of the RFPS and listed out its positive results.
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Shri J Nandakumar called the movement as unique and historic one. He said the Bharatiya philosophy believes in not merely tolerance but respect for all.
The success of the programme is an indication of the rising graph of the assertiveness among indigenous faith followers.
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