Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Apr 30: Members of the Christian community staged sit-in dharnas across Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, demanding the complete repeal of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978.
The protest, led by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), saw participation in several districts. In Itanagar, demonstrators gathered at the IG Park Tennis Court.
ACF president James Techi Tara, addressing the gathering, termed the Act unconstitutional and alleged that it targets the Christian community and restricts religious freedom. He objected to provisions requiring individuals to report religious conversion to the district magistrate, calling it an infringement on personal choice and identity.
The Forum maintained that the Act is “draconian” in nature and called for its complete repeal. Tara also alleged that the issue has led to divisions within the state, with differing views between sections of the population over the Act’s implementation.
Accusing the state government of offering only assurances without concrete action, the ACF warned that it would intensify its democratic movement if its demands are not addressed. The Forum also recalled previous protests, including demonstrations held in March 2025 and earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has urged the government to implement the Act, stating that it is necessary to prevent forced religious conversions and to protect indigenous faith and traditions.
The issue continues to evoke differing opinions, with calls for both repeal and implementation of the Act from various groups.