Arunachal: Masjid Welfare Committee calls for uniform scrutiny of religious institutions, seeks reopening of sealed mosques

The All Arunachal Pradesh Masjid Welfare Committee (AAPMWC) has urged the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) administration to ensure that all actions concerning unauthorized religious institutions are carried out in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner across all faiths.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, June 6, 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 be applied to temples, churches, gurudwaras, naamghars, and other religious establishments that may be functioning without complete legal approvals or documentation.

The committee also sought the reopening of a recently sealed masjid and questioned what it described as selective enforcement against certain religious institutions. It maintained that compliance with existing laws and regulations is the responsibility of every religious organization, irrespective of faith or denomination.

Referring to information allegedly obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Sultan claimed that several religious structures belonging to different communities may also be operating without the requisite approvals. He named Hanuman Mandir at Ganga Market, a Gurudwara in Naharlagun, Kali Mandir in E-Sector Naharlagun, a Naamghar in Naharlagun, Shiv Mandir in H-Sector Itanagar, Itafort Temple, Ganga Lake Temple, and Jollang Shiv Mandir among the institutions that, according to him, require verification of documentation and legal status. He further alleged that a number of smaller religious establishments may be facing similar issues.

AAPMWC called upon the district administration to undertake a comprehensive survey of all religious institutions within the Itanagar Capital Region and verify their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The committee emphasized that any action against institutions found to be in violation should be undertaken through a uniform and transparent process.

The committee also raised concerns regarding the alleged selective application of the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA). Referring to the earlier arrest of ST Bachao Andolan Committee members, including Tana Tamar, Sol Dodum, and Millo Ambo, during a bandh call, Sultan questioned why members of the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organization (APIYO) had not faced similar action amid recent controversies. He argued that all laws should be enforced impartially and without bias.

Reiterating its position, the AAPMWC appealed to the state government and district authorities to uphold the principles of equality before the law while addressing issues related to the registration and documentation of religious institutions. The committee stressed that enforcement measures should be guided solely by legal provisions and administrative procedures rather than 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.