Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) on Thursday accused the Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) of pursuing a politically motivated campaign for the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, and urged the state government to investigate the organisation’s activities.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club, ACF president James Techi Tara alleged that the renewed demand for implementation of the Act was being influenced by external forces seeking to create social unrest and disrupt the state’s long-standing communal harmony.

Questioning the timing of the renewed campaign, Tara noted that APFRA had remained largely dormant for more than four decades.

“For over 40 years, there was little demand for the implementation of APFRA. However, under the present leadership of IFCSAP, the issue has repeatedly been raised, resulting in growing tensions among communities,” he said.

The ACF president urged the government to examine whether attempts were being made to incite public sentiment and create division. He further stated that if such activities were established, the authorities should consider declaring IFCSAP a “radical group.”

Referring to IFCSAP’s recent ultimatum to the government to implement the Act by June 24, Tara questioned what he described as contradictory statements regarding the status of the legislation.

“If the Act is already operational, as claimed by some of its leaders, why is there a fresh push for its implementation?” he asked.

Expressing concern over the possible implications of the campaign, Tara said it could eventually lead to legal challenges against the Scheduled Tribe status of Christians in Arunachal Pradesh. Drawing parallels with developments in neighbouring Manipur, he alleged that similar legal strategies could be pursued in the state.

Tara also accused IFCSAP president Dr. Emi Rumi of harbouring political ambitions and called on the organisation to publicly disclose the identities of political leaders it claims are supporting its campaign.

Questioning the scope of APFRA, Tara argued that the legislation does not adequately reflect the diversity of indigenous faith traditions practised across Arunachal Pradesh.

Clarifying ACF’s position on the High-Power Committee constituted to deliberate on the APFRA Rules, Tara said the Forum had stayed away from the proceedings due to concerns over unequal representation of religious stakeholders. He maintained that ACF’s opposition was directed at the proposed Rules and not the Act itself.

He also rejected claims that ACF had endorsed the committee’s recommendations, describing such assertions as “false and misleading.”