Arunachal Christian Forum protests against law on anti-conversion

Thousands of people under the banner of Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) held a peaceful protest near Itanagar against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978 - an anti-conversion law.

The protestors said Arunachal Pradesh borders China and has been enjoying peace and this Act will stoke religious division in the tribal state. ACF president Tarh Miri said over two lakh Christians, cutting across denominations, gathered at Borum near Arunachal Pradesh's capital Itanagar.

ACF has been agitating against the implementation of APFRA, 1978, claiming that the law, if implemented, would harm Christians in the state and curtail their freedom of religion.


Miri said that initially ACF was supposed to stage a gherao near the assembly where the budget session is going on, but later they sought permission to organise the demonstration at a tennis court in Itanagar, where permission was denied.

Chief minister Pema Khandu had earlier urged people not to 'misinterpret' APFRA, 1978, for which the rules were being framed.