‘Anti-conversion’ law: Arunachal Pradesh appoints head of panel to examine draft rules

The Arunachal Pradesh Government has appointed a retired judge of the Gauhati High Court as the chairman of a high-powered committee (HPC) to examine the draft rules framed for an “anti-conversion” law introduced almost five decades ago.

Brojendra Prasad Katakey, a former judge of the high court, has replaced the State’s Home Minister Mama Natung as the head of the HPC to study the draft rules for the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978.

The members of the committee include two Ministers, Kento Jini and Balo Raja, two bureaucrats, and heads of six organisations – Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), Monpa Mimang Tsogpa, Tai Khamti Development Society, Arunachal Vikas Parishad, and the State unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

The Committee has been tasked with examining the draft of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Rules, 1978, in light of the High Court’s directives in September 2024 and constitutional provisions. It has also been entrusted with consulting the relevant departments and experts, and recommending necessary changes to ensure that the rules are consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of India and judicial directions.

The Committee has been further directed to submit its report, along with the recommendations, to the government as soon as possible to meet the High Court’s deadline.

In September 2024, the Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court ordered the Pema Khandu government to finalise the draft rules of the APFRA within six months, while closing a public interest litigation on the matter. Advocate Tambo Tamin had filed the litigation.

The ACF has been opposing the “content and intent” of the APFRA, alleging that it targets Christians. It claims that the Act has many ambiguities to “abridge the fundamental rights” of Christians guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.

Although ACF president Tarh Miri has been included in the HPC, the organisation stated that the panel’s constitution undermines its demand for the scrapping of the APFRA.

The IFCSAP, on the other hand, has been pressuring the State’s Bharatiya Janata Party government to frame the rules fast and implement the Act.