ITANAGAR, Feb 21: Amid growing protests against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA) 1978, the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) held its first meeting with the state’s Home Minister Mama Natung on Friday, but the discussion ended without resolution. The ACF, which represents the Christian community in the state, has been vocal about their opposition to the law, arguing that it would harm the rights of Christians and curtail their freedom of religion.

Following the meeting, ACF President Tarh Miri shared that the Home Minister stated the state government is obligated to frame rules for the APFRA in accordance with a recent order from the Gauhati High Court. However, Natung reassured that the government would continue discussions with the ACF and schedule another meeting soon. Miri confirmed that the ACF, as previously announced, plans to hold a peaceful demonstration in front of the state Assembly on March 6, calling for the repeal of the law. The forum also recently staged an eight-hour hunger strike on February 17 in protest against the law’s implementation.

The APFRA, passed in 1978, has remained largely inactive, but the recent court order has prompted the state government to start framing the necessary rules for enforcement. The ACF has expressed concerns that the law, when implemented, could adversely affect the Christian population, which makes up approximately 30.26 percent of the state’s total population, according to the 2011 census.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu addressed the issue during the 39th Statehood Day celebrations in Itanagar on Thursday, urging the people of Arunachal Pradesh not to misinterpret the APFRA. He clarified that the Act, passed when the state was still a Union Territory, is not intended to target any particular religion but to preserve the state’s cultural heritage. Khandu explained that although the Act was passed in 1978, the rules were never framed, and only after an individual petitioned the Gauhati High Court was the state mandated to develop the rules within six months.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the government is working in compliance with the court’s directive and is preparing an initial draft of the rules. Khandu assured the public that the law’s intent was for the good of all communities in the state and regretted that certain individuals were misinterpreting the law by politicizing it on social media and mainstream platforms.