Borum, March 6, 2024 – In a historic show of solidarity, thousands of Christians from all 28 districts of Arunachal Pradesh gathered at Nyokum Ground, Borum, to participate in a peaceful democratic protest against the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978. The demonstration, organized by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), called for the immediate repeal of the Act, which they claim curtails religious freedom and targets Christian communities.
Holding banners and placards that read “Freedom of Religion is Our Right” and “Repeal APFRA 1978,” protestors raised their voices against the decades-old law. The ACF leadership, addressing the massive crowd, vowed to continue their fight until justice is served.
“We will not give up. We will continue to stand for our rights until this discriminatory law is repealed,” declared one of the ACF leaders.
Prominent social activist Sol Dodum, known for his relentless fight against governance issues, also participated in the protest. In his speech, he criticized the state government for failing to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.
The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, prohibits forced religious conversions through inducements or coercion. However, Christian organizations argue that it has been misinterpreted and used to harass religious minorities, discouraging them from practicing and propagating their faith.
The protest, which remained peaceful, concluded with the submission of a memorandum to the state government, urging immediate action on their demands. The Arunachal Christian Forum has made it clear that they will not step back until the law is repealed.
While the state government has yet to respond to the protest, the growing movement reflects deepening tensions over religious rights in Arunachal Pradesh. With thousands mobilizing against APFRA, 1978, this issue is expected to remain a focal point in the state’s political and social discourse in the coming days.
