ITANAGAR, Feb 11: The All Arunachal Tribal Students’ Union (AATSU) has demanded cancellation of ST status of the APSTs converting to other religions. The union has written to the State Governor in this regard.
In its representation, the AATSU slammed the formation of the All Arunachal Tribal Muslim Youth Forum, and Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) president for calling the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1978 a draconian law and announcing to hold protests against the law during a recent press conference.
‘We strictly oppose the use of the word ‘draconian law’. However, we would like to state that we have no problem regarding the one week prayer fasting. But such a tyrant religious ruler restricting the followers to not attend any festival during that period is harassment and can be called draconian. Starting from 18.02.2025, the preparation for Statehood Day and Nyokum festival celebrations will commence and such a hunger strike will not be a feasible idea. Nyokum is one of the most important cultural celebrations of the state and is the greatest festival for the Nyishi indigenous community. The members of ACF are showing that they are not indigenous and they have converted to foreign religion,’ the union reasoned.
AATSU has called for modification of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 and to introduce legal provisions for cancellation of ST status of those who have converted to other religion.
‘The 1978 Act was originally passed to prevent forced religious conversions that have allowed conversions to continue leading to the erosion of tribal culture, language and traditions,’ it said.
The union suggested amendment of the ST status criteria, introduction of legal provision that revokes ST status upon conversion to a foreign religion, to ensure that tribal identity is assessed based on cultural and linguistic continuity, not just ancestry, implementation of verification process, conducting periodic surveys to identity converted individuals, requirement of self-declaration of religion in government records to prevent fraudulent claims of ST benefits, protection of tribal cultural & religious institutions, strengthening support for indigenous faiths, languages and traditional practices and provision of fund for protection of tribal cultural organizations.