Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Itanagar: The All Arunachal Pradesh Masjid Welfare Committee has sparked a debate over religious equity following the recent closure of a mosque in the Itanagar Capital Region. Officials sealed the facility citing a lack of formal registration and construction permits, prompting the committee to challenge the fairness of the administration.
During a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club, committee representatives argued that the facility had previously passed inspections. They questioned why the local administration has singled out Muslim places of worship while ignoring other structures. Giah Limpeah Sultan, a spokesperson for the group, stated, "The AAMWC don't have any personal grudges against any specific religion."
The committee utilized information obtained through Right to Information requests to highlight a broader issue. They reported that 27 other religious sites across the region, including one gurudwara, 14 mandirs, and 12 churches, also lack the necessary documentation. The group contends that if the government uses building permits as a standard for closure, the law must be applied universally to all faiths.
Beyond the sealing issue, the organization voiced concerns regarding the application of the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. They questioned why the law is not applied to the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation, suggesting a pattern of unequal treatment under the law. The committee has demanded the immediate reopening of all three sealed masjids in the region, warning that officials should otherwise close all undocumented religious centers to maintain consistency.
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