Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 | 06 Jan 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

The Arunachal Pradesh government is taking steps to implement the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, by framing rules for its enforcement, nearly 46 years after its enactment.  

  • The move aims to address concerns related to forceful conversions in the state. 

What is the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1978 ? 

  • About: 
    • The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 was introduced to prohibit forceful religious conversions.  
    • The Act was introduced (in 1978) during a period of rapid social and cultural changes in Arunachal Pradesh, aiming to safeguard the traditional religious practices of indigenous communities from external influence or coercion. 
  • Key Provisions: 
    • Definition of Indigenous Faiths: The Act explicitly recognizes indigenous faiths as religions, beliefs, customs, and observances practiced by the native communities of Arunachal Pradesh. These include: 
      • Buddhism: As practiced among the tribal groups such as  Monpas, Membas, Sherdukpens, Khambas, Khamptis, and Singphos. 
      • Nature Worship: Particularly the worship of Donyi-Polo (means “Sun and Moon” ) practiced by several communities in the state. 
        • Donyi-Polo is an indigenous religion of the Tani and other Sino-Tibetan peoples of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in Northeast India. 
      • Vaishnavism: As practiced by the Noctes and Akas. 
    • Prohibition of Forced Conversion: The Act specifically prohibits religious conversion from one religious faith to another, against their will or under coercive circumstances. 
    • Punishment for Violation: The Act prescribes a punishment of up to 2 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 10,000 for individuals found guilty of forcibly converting others or attempting to do so. 
    • Mandatory Reporting: The Act mandates that any act of religious conversion be reported to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the respective district. 
  • Push for Revival: 
    • The Act’s revival gained momentum after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2022 led to the Gauhati High Court's intervention, prompting the state government to finalize the necessary rules for its implementation.  
    • It has also been supported by organizations like the Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) which aims to protect indigenous beliefs, especially as some districts which have seen conversion rates as high as 90%. 
      • The Christian population in Arunachal Pradesh increased from 0.79% in 1971 to 30.26% in 2011. 

Constitutional Provisions Related to Religious Belief 

  • Article 25: Article 25 ensures the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.  
    • It permits the state to regulate secular activities related to religious practice and mandates the opening of Hindu religious institutions to all Hindus, irrespective of their caste or class. 
  • Article 26: Article 26 grants every religious denomination the right to manage its religious affairs, subject to considerations of public order, morality, and health. 
  • Articles 27-30: Safeguard the freedom to contribute financially to religious practices, manage religious affairs, and establish and administer educational institutions for religious purposes. 

State-Level Anti-Conversion Laws 

  • Odisha (1967): It became the first state to pass a law restricting religious conversions, prohibiting conversions through force or fraudulent means. 
  • Madhya Pradesh (1968): Introduced the Madhya Pradesh Dharma Swatantraya Adhiniyam, mandating that any conversion activities be reported to the District Magistrate, with penalties for non-compliance. 
  • Other States: Several other states, including Gujarat (2003), Chhattisgarh (2000 and 2006), Rajasthan (2006 and 2008), Himachal Pradesh (2006 and 2019), Tamil Nadu (2002-2004), Jharkhand (2017), Uttarakhand (2018), Uttar Pradesh (2021), and Haryana (2022), have enacted similar laws prohibiting various forms of religious conversions.  

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions (PYQ)  

Prelims: 

Q.What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950? (2021)  

(a) A Democratic Republic  

(b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic  

(c) A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic  

(d) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic  

Ans: (b) 

Q. The Preamble to the Constitution of India is (2020)

(a) a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect  

(b) not a part of the Constitution and has no legal effect either  

(c) a part of the Constitution and has the same legal effect as any other part  

(d) a part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts  

Ans: (d)