ITANAGAR, Nov 6: The Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has taken strong exception to the demands made by  Arunachal Christian Form (ACF) for Repeal or Amendment of Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 (APFRA-1978), and other related complaints as highlighted in its press conference on  November 3 last at the Arunachal Press Club.
The IFCSAP termed it as premeditated and deliberate attempt to hurt the religious sentiments of the known indigenous faith groups like nature worshippers, Buddhism, Vaishnavism and other faiths in the state. It urged the ACF to refrain from racking up issues that disturbs the interface religious harmony, mutual respect, public order, and peaceful coexistence amongst all faith groups of the state.
The APFRA 1978 (Act No.4 of 1978) passed by the then Union Territory Government of Arunachal Pradesh and received the assent of the President of India on 25th October of the same year is a set of judicial rules aimed at restricting or prohibiting proselytism from one religion to another by "use of force or inducement or by fraudulent means and for matters connected therewith". Its underlying objective is crystal clear, and there's no any scope for any ambiguities in it. It should be noted that all the religions have their own sets of established norms and rules on religion conversions. The APFRA, 1978 in a sense mean for Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion,  the IFCSAP said.
The IFCSAP said it is consistent and firm on its demand for immediate implementation of the APFRA, 1978 in letter and spirit. 
It should be noted that though the country has no federal law on conversions as law and order is a state subject under Indian constitution, states have the authority to enact such laws as suggested by Union Law Ministry in 2015. Accordingly, nine states including Arunachal Pradesh have, so far sanctioned their own laws on religious conversions. 
Responding to complaints on Department of Indigenous Affairs (previously Department of Indigenous Faith and Cultural Affairs) and government grants in aids, the IFCSAP made its stands clear that Arunachal Pradesh is exclusively a tribal state.  
The creation of the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) could be inferred as institutional support towards protection, promotion and dissemination of diversity cultural expressions based on the guiding principles that culture is a driving force for sustainable development, IFCSAP said.
With regards to Tawang Church fiasco, the IFCSAP reaffirmed its stand that local sentiments of the area and its faith group should be respected instead of resorting to intimidation and backstabbing tactics. Tawang is exclusively inhabited by the peace loving Monpas who are Mahayana Buddhists. They have their legitimate rights to defend their land, religion and spirituality in its undulating pristine forms.
The IFCSAP said religion shouldn't pave way for politics to determine the fate of religious institutions and world of spirituality. They should be kept apart from unholy alliances least the sanctity of our practices and belief systems gets diluted and marred with impurities.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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