AITF Calls for Restraint as APFRA Sparks Tensions in Arunachal

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Indigenous Tribes’ Forum (AITF) has voiced concern over the recent developments following the Gauhati High Court’s directive to the state government to frame rules under Section 8 of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, within six months.

AITF, representing apex community-based organisations of indigenous tribes, said that protests, including hunger strikes by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) and rallies by the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) recently, threaten peace and development in the state.

The APFRA has long been a contentious issue, particularly among Christian groups. The IFCSAP and the state government argue that the Act is crucial to preserving indigenous culture and faith, whereas the ACF contends that it discriminates against Christians. As the budget session of the 8th legislative assembly commenced in Itanagar, ACF staged a massive protest at Borum on Thursday. More than 20,000 Christians from across the state gathered to oppose the implementation of APFRA, which has remained dormant for 46 years.

The opposition Congress has stepped into the debate, with Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) general secretary and spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham reaffirming the party’s commitment to protecting the rights of minorities, including Christians and indigenous faith groups.

“The BJP government should initiate a dialogue between the Arunachal Christian Forum and other stakeholders to resolve the issue amicably,” Jotham urged. He emphasised that any attempt to undermine secular and democratic values would be strongly opposed.

The AITF has appealed to political parties, ACF, IFCSAP, and the public to refrain from making provocative statements that could escalate tensions. It encouraged all stakeholders to engage constructively in the rule-framing process by providing inputs through appropriate discussions.

The forum also urged the state government to circulate the draft rules for public feedback to ensure a participatory approach. Additionally, AITF announced plans to form a consultative committee to study the draft rules, gathering insights from community-based organizations through the Joint Consultative Forum (JCF).

“The committee will seek inputs from community-based organisations and deliberate on the matter through the JCF for wider consultation,” the forum’s general secretary, Tapi Tai, said.

During the Statehood Day function on February 20 this year, Chief Minister Pema Khandu reassured that the newly framed rules under APFRA were not intended to target any religious community but to safeguard indigenous culture and beliefs.

“The intention behind the new rules is not to target any specific religious group—be it Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, or Muslims—but rather to offer greater support to the indigenous people of the state,” Khandu said.

He acknowledged that while the Act has existed for 46 years, it lacked formal rules, which are now being addressed.

Khandu assured that discussions would be held with officials, stakeholders, and religious leaders to ensure a balanced and inclusive approach.

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