Itanagar, June 8:
In a significant development concerning one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most debated legislations, the High-Powered Committee (HPC) constituted by the State Government has finalized the draft rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, and submitted its report and recommendations to Chief Minister on Monday.
The submission marks the culmination of months of consultations, deliberations, and stakeholder engagements undertaken after the State Government initiated the process of framing rules for the implementation of the Act. Although APFRA was enacted by the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1978 and later received Presidential assent, it remained largely dormant for nearly five decades due to the absence of operational rules.
The Act was originally introduced with the objective of prohibiting religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, or inducement. However, without a framework for implementation, successive governments did not operationalize the legislation.
The issue regained prominence in recent years following demands from several indigenous organizations and cultural bodies, which maintained that the implementation of the Act was necessary to safeguard indigenous faiths, traditional practices, and cultural identities.
According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the committee examined suggestions and feedback from indigenous organizations, community leaders, government departments, legal experts, and religious groups before unanimously adopting the final draft report.
One of the key amendments approved by the committee is the extension of the reporting period for religious conversions. Under the revised draft, any individual undergoing religious conversion will be required to submit the prescribed declaration within three months, providing a more practical and flexible timeline than earlier proposals.
The committee has also incorporated a specific provision clarifying that the rules shall apply equally to all religions and communities, irrespective of faith or denomination, with the aim of ensuring uniform implementation of the law.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu acknowledged the committee’s efforts and confirmed the submission of the report. In a statement, he congratulated the committee members for their work and dedication throughout the process.
“My congratulations and thanks to Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Brojendra Prasad Katakey Ji, the Chairman, and all Committee members for their tremendous work, commitment, and dedication,” Khandu said.
He also extended special appreciation to Ministers , , and for their leadership and valuable contributions during the drafting process.
With the report now submitted, the State Government is expected to examine the recommendations before taking a final decision on the notification and implementation of the APFRA Rules, a move that could bring the nearly 48-year-old legislation into operation for the first time.
