Arunachal Christian Forum Issues Ultimatum Over Religion Law Rules, Threatens Statewide Shutdown Actions

In a formal memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the ACF registered its strongest opposition to the ongoing move to operationalise the decades-old legislation through rule-making. The organisation stated that the Christian community in Arunachal Pradesh is deeply concerned that the implementation of the Act through notified rules could have far-reaching implications for constitutional rights, religious freedom, social harmony, and peaceful coexistence in the state.

The forum alleged that recent actions taken by the High-Powered Committee regarding the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 were being carried out with undue haste, generating widespread apprehension and resentment among significant sections of the population. It further claimed that despite repeated appeals from multiple religious bodies, organisations, and citizens, the state government appeared determined to proceed without adequate consultation with stakeholders.

According to the memorandum, any decision affecting religious freedom and community relations must be preceded by comprehensive consultations involving all concerned groups. The forum warned that proceeding without broad consensus and meaningful dialogue could trigger avoidable tension and unrest.

The Arunachal Christian Forum has placed three core demands before the state government: immediate suspension of the entire process of framing and notifying rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978; cessation of any notification, implementation, or enforcement of the proposed rules; and a public declaration by the government halting the process while initiating comprehensive consultations on the repeal of the Act with all affected stakeholders.

The organisation has given the state government a period of fifteen days from receipt of the memorandum to formally communicate its decision regarding these demands. It has further cautioned that failure to comply within the deadline may compel it to launch democratic protest measures, including mass rallies and statewide shutdown calls.

The ACF stated that any such agitation would be undertaken to safeguard what it described as the rights and interests of the Christian community in Arunachal Pradesh, while maintaining that its ultimatum was also intended to preserve peace, protect fundamental rights, and uphold communal harmony in the state.

The memorandum was signed by Arunachal Christian Forum President James Techi Tara, Secretary General Yomrik Lombi, and Senior Vice-President Nabam Niba Hina. Copies of the communication were also forwarded to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Secretary of the state administration, and various media organisations.

The development is expected to intensify an already sensitive and long-standing debate surrounding the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, a law that continues to remain a focal point of legal, political, and social discourse in the state.