Indigenous body threatens statewide agitation over delay in framing rules for Arunachal's Freedom of Religion Act

The Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has issued a strong warning to the State Government, announcing a series of escalating protests over what it terms an “unacceptable delay” in framing the rules of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA) 1978. 

The organisation accused the government of adopting diversionary tactics despite repeated assurances and a High Court directive.

Speaking to India Today, IFCSAP Vice President Bai Taba and Youth Wing President Taba Rath criticised the government’s recent move to constitute a new committee—comprising even a retired judge—to draft the rules, calling it a “mere eyewash” designed to further delay implementation of the long-pending anti-conversion law.

According to IFCSAP, the deadline in their memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister on 18 October, during their mega rally under the banner “APFRA 1978 — Ab Tak Kyun? Kab Tak? Chalo Itanagar,” has already expired. The leaders reiterated that the High Court had ordered the framing of APFRA rules within six months, a timeline they say has long passed without action.

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In response, the organisation has announced a four-phase statewide protest beginning 19 November:

In the first phase, from 19 to 21 November, individuals from the indigenous faith community will wear black badges from 7 am to 7 pm across Arunachal Pradesh as a symbolic mark of dissent.

The second phase, scheduled for 27 and 28 November, will involve a “Maun Vrat Dharna,” with silent protesters sitting at the Tennis Court area in Itanagar from 7 am to 7 pm.

On 1 December, the Indigenous Faith Day, community members will again wear black badges in protest as part of the third phase.

The final phase will mark the most severe form of agitation, including hunger strikes, relay hunger strikes, a call for an Arunachal Bandh, and even hunger strike unto death if necessary. IFCSAP said these will continue until the State Government completes the process of framing the rules for the APFRA 1978.

The organisation emphasised that the protests will be withdrawn only upon the government’s fulfilment of their demands, underscoring what they describe as growing frustration among indigenous communities over the long-pending implementation of the Act.