The Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA) has called for the immediate notification and strict implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Religious Freedom Act, 1978, to curb conversions carried out through inducement, pressure, or fraudulent means.
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, ABVKA National President Satyendra Singh and Vice President Techi Gubin emphasised the urgency of enforcing the law, which was enacted by the then Janata Party government to protect the indigenous faith and culture of the tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh. They pointed out that despite the passage of 47 years, the law remains ineffective due to the absence of necessary rules, leading to a significant demographic shift in the state.
Court Directive and Opposition
Highlighting the demographic changes, Singh stated that the Christian population in Arunachal Pradesh, which was around 1 per cent before the enactment of the law, had risen to 31 per cent by 2011. He further referenced a September 30 order by the Itanagar permanent bench of the Gauhati High Court, directing the Arunachal Pradesh government to notify the rules within six months. However, as the deadline nears, church-affiliated organizations have begun opposing the court’s directive and the state government’s efforts to enforce the law.
Condemning such opposition, ABVKA asserted that conversions over the past five decades have severely impacted the Sanatan-Swadharmi tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh, eroding their indigenous cultural and religious identity. The organisation expressed concern over the silence of political parties and the media on this issue, questioning their reluctance to address the long-term consequences of religious conversions in the state.
Demand for Immediate Action
Accusing the Arunachal Pradesh government of negligence, ABVKA urged it to fulfill its constitutional responsibility by notifying the rules and ensuring strict enforcement of the law. The organization also appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and safeguard the cultural identity of the state’s indigenous communities, particularly given Arunachal Pradesh’s strategic significance as a border-sensitive region.
With the court’s deadline approaching, ABVKA reiterated its demand for immediate action, warning that any further delay could lead to irreversible socio-cultural transformations among the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh.
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