In a significant move on a legislative issue pending for nearly five decades, the High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted to frame draft rules for the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, has officially submitted its final report and recommendations to the State Government on Monday.

The committee, chaired by retired Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey, finalised the draft rules after its fourth and final meeting held on June 4 at the Civil Secretariat, Itanagar. The panel adopted several amendments after reviewing inputs from multiple stakeholders before approving the final draft.

The HPC held four rounds of deliberations to frame operational guidelines for the Act, which has remained largely inactive since its enactment in 1978 due to the absence of notified rules.

During the June 4 meeting, the committee examined stakeholder submissions and incorporated amendments to the draft. Justice Katakey noted that the rules were finalised after several rounds of changes aimed at creating comprehensive procedures for enforcement.

The official minutes of the meeting recorded that the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) did not submit any formal proposal during the process. ACF Chief Advisor Shri Tarh Miri, who was inducted as a member of the HPC, remained absent from the proceedings.

Justice Katakey observed in the minutes that despite repeated attempts to build consensus, the ACF did not participate in the final meeting. The minutes reflect the committee’s effort to seek views from all sides before closing the draft.

The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 was passed by the State Legislature with the stated objective of prohibiting conversion from one religion to another by use of force, inducement, or fraudulent means. Section 3 of the Act prohibits such conversions. Section 4 mandates prior intimation to the District Magistrate regarding any conversion ceremony.

However, the Act remained dormant as rules prescribing the manner of intimation, inquiry, verification, and prosecution were never framed or notified. The HPC was specifically tasked with defining these processes including prior permission, intimation, inquiry mechanisms, and penalties related to religious conversions as envisaged under the Act.

The State Government had earlier assured the Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Bench, that steps were being taken to frame rules after Public Interest Litigations were filed seeking implementation of the Act. The constitution of the HPC and submission of its report fulfill part of that commitment.

The submission comes amid a long running debate over the Act. Indigenous faith groups and several community organisations have consistently pushed for framing of rules, citing concerns over demographic changes and the need for cultural preservation in the tribal state.

On the other hand, several Christian organisations have opposed the Act, describing it as discriminatory and a violation of the right to religious freedom guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution.

The development comes amid mounting opposition from the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), which issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government on June 2 seeking an immediate halt to the framing of rules under the APFRA, 1978. In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the ACF cautioned that enforcing the Act’s provisions could threaten constitutional rights, religious freedom, social harmony, and peaceful coexistence in the state.

As per Census 2011, Christians form 30.26% of Arunachal’s population, while followers of indigenous faiths like Donyi-Polo constitute 26.2%. The religious composition has shifted significantly since 1978, a point often raised in the debate over the Act.