India’s Arunachal Pradesh to Revive Freedom of Religion Act

India’s Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced plans to implement the dormant Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, Jurist News reported yesterday.

This development follows a directive from the Gauhati High Court, which mandated the state to finalize the necessary rules within six months. The Act, which prohibits forced conversions and requires reporting of any conversions to local authorities, aims to protect indigenous beliefs and cultural identity.

Khandu emphasized that the revival of the Act will not target any specific religion but will safeguard all faiths from coercion. Reactions to the announcement have been mixed; while some groups, like the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh, support it, others, particularly from Christian communities, express concerns about potential discrimination. The revival reflects ongoing tensions in the state regarding religious identity and the balance between protecting indigenous cultures and ensuring individual religious freedoms.