29/06/2026
Why Arunachal Pradesh Need APFRA 1978 ?
It was made by some visionary leaders during those years (1978). They knew that Arunachal Pradesh would one day face a situation like the one we see today. After the arrival of the world’s two largest religions, Christianity and Islam, Arunachal, being a sensitive border state sharing boundaries with Tibet, Myanmar, and Bhutan, has undergone significant religious changes.
At one time, Arunachal Pradesh had almost no Christian or Muslim population. Our ancestors worshipped nature the Sun, Moon, trees, rivers, and other natural elements. During that time, there were no religious conflicts.
After Independence, many schools were opened in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh, especially in places like Harmuti, Likabali, and earlier in Sadiya. Students from remote villages were taken there for education, and many were converted to Christianity. After completing their education, some returned to their villages and established churches across different districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
When this began happening, the visionary leaders of that time requested the Government of India to enact the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 (APFRA). However, the Act was never implemented effectively in the state.
Meanwhile, another religious community, the Muslim community, also started growing in Arunachal Pradesh. Mosques began to be built in different places. There are concerns that while some churches are engaged in religious conversion through social work, education, or other means, Muslim communities are also increasing their presence through migration, business, and marriages with local tribal women.
Once, Arunachal Pradesh was almost entirely inhabited by indigenous tribal communities. Over time, the Christian and Muslim populations increased. According to this view, conversion activities started through formal education and social work. In the case of Muslims, they are said to have expanded through businesses such as labour supply, home services, and food related businesses, while also marrying local tribal women. As a result, the population of children born to Muslim fathers and local tribal mothers has increased. Like in Manipur,Meghalaya,Nagaland and Assam.
Many people are believed to have come from Bangladesh, Assam, and West Bengal. As the populations of Christianity and Islam have grown, concerns have been raised that indigenous communities are becoming targets of conversion or demographic change. Indigenous population are decreasing in Arunachal because of conversion.
On the other hand, nationalist organizations such as Ramakrishna Mission (RK Mission) and Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) focus on educating the people of Arunachal Pradesh while promoting the preservation of indigenous traditions and ways of life. They Run an institute with nationalist ideology and they believe in protection of local indigenous way of life and indigenous religion without conversion.
According to this perspective, while Christianity and Islam seek to convert tribal people, Hindu organizations aim to protect tribal communities and preserve their indigenous way of living. Christians claim to be the largest religious community in Arunachal Pradesh, but officially there is no data. while concerns have also been raised about increasing Muslim populations through marriages with local tribal women.
The indigenous cultural and religious organizations of Arunachal Pradesh seek to protect indigenous identity and traditional faiths. They argue that Christianity and Islam originated outside Arunachal, whereas Buddhism and Donyi-Polo have deep historical roots in the region.
One major issue is the absence of reliable religious demographic data. APFRA 1978 requires that religious conversions be officially reported so that accurate religious data can be maintained. Without proper records, the state government faces difficulties in policy making, scholarship planning, and demographic analysis.
There are also concerns that demographic changes may eventually create situations similar to those seen in states like Meghalaya ,Nagaland and Manipur. Some believe that the increasing number of non-local people and mixed populations has created social and political challenges in those states. It is argued that such demographic shifts may influence elections, governance, and local identity.
Therefore, supporters believe that APFRA 1978 should be implemented to maintain accurate religious data, preserve indigenous identity, and monitor demographic changes.
The maps showing the global Muslim population and the global Christian population are presented to highlight Arunachal Pradesh’s strategic location. Arunachal shares international borders with Tibet, Myanmar, and Bhutan, making it a geopolitically sensitive region.
The international organizations view the entire Northeast, connected through the Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck), as strategically important. It is alleged that certain groups seek to increase the Muslim population across Northeast India, while others claim that foreign agencies aim to promote Christianity in the region. It is being claimed to make entire northeast as a Muslim country or Christian country. Supporters of APFRA 1978 argue that those opposing its implementation are working against the state’s interests, while those supporting its implementation believe it is necessary for protecting Arunachal Pradesh and the nation.
They believe that APFRA 1978 should be implemented to protect the indigenous people, preserve traditional culture, maintain accurate demographic records, and safeguard the long term interests of Arunachal Pradesh.
“A civilization does not disappear overnight. It fades when its people stop protecting their identity. APFRA 1978, is not about restricting faith it is about preserving Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous heritage for future generations and India as a whole”
