Itanagar, June 6:
The All Arunachal Pradesh Masjid Welfare Committee (AAPMWC) has urged the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) administration to ensure that any action concerning unauthorized religious institutions is carried out uniformly and without discrimination among different faiths.
Addressing the media on Saturday, AAPMWC member Giah Limpeh Sultan stated that if authorities are examining the legality and documentation of mosques and masjids operating in the capital region, similar scrutiny should also be extended to churches, temples, gurudwaras, and other religious establishments that may be functioning without complete legal permissions or documentation.
Sultan claimed that information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act indicates that several religious institutions belonging to different communities may not possess the required approvals and documents. He specifically named Hanuman Mandir in D-Sector, Gurudwara in Naharlagun, Kali Mandir in E-Sector Naharlagun, Naamghar in Naharlagun, Shiv Mandir in H-Sector Itanagar, Itafort Temple, Ganga Lake Temple, and Jollang Shiv Mandir in Itanagar. According to him, these are among the larger religious structures allegedly operating without valid documentation. He further alleged that there are numerous smaller religious establishments facing similar issues, although he had not sought RTI information regarding all of them.
The committee called upon the district administration to conduct a comprehensive survey of all religious institutions within the Itanagar Capital Region and verify their legal status. It maintained that compliance with existing laws and regulations is the responsibility of every religious organization, irrespective of denomination, and that any violations should be addressed through a fair and transparent process.
Raising another concern, Sultan questioned the alleged selective application of the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA). Referring to the arrest of ST Bachao Andolan Committee members, including Tana Tamar, Sol Dodum, and Millo Ambo, during a previous bandh call, he asked why members of the All Papum Pare Youth Organization (APIYO) had not faced similar action despite recent controversies. He argued that laws such as the APUAPA should be enforced uniformly and without bias.
AAPMWC further appealed to the state government and district authorities to uphold the principles of equality, fairness, and transparency while dealing with issues related to the registration and documentation of religious institutions. The committee reiterated that enforcement measures should be guided solely by the rule of law and not by religious identity or community affiliation.
The statement comes amid ongoing discussions over the legal status and regulatory compliance of certain religious establishments in the Itanagar Capital Region, as authorities continue to examine documentation and registration-related matters concerning religious institutions across the region.
