Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh – The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has voiced serious concerns over rising religious tensions in the state following a massive protest by the Christian community on March 6, 2025. The demonstration, which saw thousands gather near Itanagar, was organized by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) to oppose the impending implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA) of 1978, a long-dormant anti-conversion law.
The APCC, in a statement issued on the same day, cautioned that enforcing the APFRA could deepen divisions among communities and threaten the state’s social harmony. Party leaders criticized the Pema Khandu-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, alleging that the move to activate the 46-year-old legislation reflects a broader agenda to polarize Arunachal Pradesh along religious lines. “This is a deliberate attempt to disturb the peaceful coexistence that has defined our state,” the APCC asserted, urging the government to reconsider its stance.
The protest, held at Borum ground after authorities denied permission to rally near the State Assembly, drew over two lakh participants, according to ACF president Tarh Miri. The forum has repeatedly condemned the APFRA as a threat to religious freedom, arguing that it disproportionately targets Christians, who constitute 30.26% of the state’s population (4.19 lakh people, per the 2011 census). “This law undermines our constitutional rights and sows distrust among Arunachal’s diverse communities,” Miri said during the peaceful demonstration.
The controversy stems from a September 2024 Gauhati High Court directive ordering the state government to frame rules for the APFRA within six months, reviving a law that had remained largely unenforced since its passage under Chief Minister P.K. Thungon in 1978. Chief Minister Khandu has defended the legislation, insisting it aims to protect indigenous faiths like Donyi Polo from forced conversions rather than target any specific religion. However, the Christian community and opposition leaders remain unconvinced, pointing to similar laws in other states that have allegedly been misused against minorities.
The APCC’s warning highlights the delicate balance of religious and cultural identities in Arunachal Pradesh, a state known for its tribal diversity. As the budget session continues, the issue is expected to dominate political discourse, with the Congress calling for dialogue to prevent further escalation. The government, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of both the Christian protesters and indigenous faith groups advocating for the law’s enforcement, as the state navigates this contentious chapter in its history.
