Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Itanagar: The High Powered Committee tasked with framing rules for the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1978 has submitted its final recommendations to the state government. Chaired by retired Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey, the panel finalized the draft guidelines during its fourth and final meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Itanagar.
The 1978 legislation, which aims to prohibit religious conversions involving force, inducement, or fraud, has remained dormant for decades due to a lack of formal enforcement rules. The committee was established to define necessary procedures, including inquiry mechanisms, verification processes, and notification requirements for religious ceremonies.
Justice Katakey noted that the panel finalized the rules after extensive reviews aimed at creating comprehensive enforcement procedures. While the committee sought input from various stakeholders, the Arunachal Christian Forum did not submit formal proposals. Regarding the lack of participation, Justice Katakey observed, "Despite repeated attempts to build consensus, the ACF did not participate in the final meeting."
The move comes as the state responds to Public Interest Litigations filed in the Gauhati High Court demanding the implementation of the law. The Act has long been a source of tension between indigenous faith groups, who advocate for the rules to protect cultural identity, and Christian organizations, who argue the legislation threatens religious freedom. Prior to the committee's final session, the Arunachal Christian Forum issued an ultimatum to the state government, warning that implementing the Act could compromise social harmony.
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