Insta
Tribal Groups Oppose Arunachal Government’s Plan To Repeal Anti-Conversion Law, Call It Minority Appeasement
Swarajya Staff
Jul 01, 2018, 08:44 PM | Updated 08:44 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Tribal groups in Arunachal Pradesh have opposed the state government’s plan to repeal the anti-conversion law (Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act) passed in 1978, The Hindu has reported.
Addressing a gathering at a function organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who leads the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state, said the anti-conversion law “undermines secularism and is targetted towards the Christians”.
According to the report, the groups have said that the law is important as it plays a vital role in safeguarding traditional belief systems and local cultures.
At least two tribal outfits in the state, the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh and the Nyishi Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Society, have said that the government’s move is an attempt at “minority appeasement and detrimental to the growth of indigenous people of the State”.
According to these groups, the growth of Christianity in the State - from being non-existent in 1951 to being the largest religious group at 30.26 per cent in 2011 - has been at the expense of the followers of indigenous faiths.
“We condemn the statement of the Chief Minister as the anti-conversion law, if repealed, would threaten the indigenous culture of the State. There is also the apprehension among the people that the Chief Minister is bringing the denizens of Arunachal Pradesh under the minority or general category and stripping the special privileges which we have been enjoying as Scheduled Tribes,” IFCSAP general secretary, Bai Taba, was quoted by The Hindu as saying.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.