Committee headed by retired Justice B.P. Katakey submits draft rules for the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, paving the way for operationalising the long-pending legislation
Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has received the long-awaited report of a high-powered committee tasked with framing rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, bringing the nearly five-decade-old legislation a step closer to implementation.
The committee, chaired by retired Justice Brojendra Prasad Katakey, submitted its recommendations on June 8 following an extensive consultation process involving multiple stakeholders. The development comes after renewed focus on the issue following directions from the Gauhati High Court regarding the framing of rules under the Act.
Enacted in 1978, APFRA prohibits religious conversions through force, fraud or inducement. However, the absence of operational rules had prevented its enforcement for the past 48 years.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed the submission of the report and praised the committee’s efforts. “The High-Powered Committee on the Draft Rules of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, has officially submitted its report and recommendations to the State Government,” Khandu said.
He also thanked Justice Katakey and committee members for their “commitment and dedication,” while acknowledging the contributions of ministers Mama Natung, Balo Raja, and Kento Jini.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh urged the government to promptly notify the rules and implement the recommendations. The organisation said it would continue monitoring the process and emphasised the need for constructive dialogue among stakeholders as the state moves towards operationalising one of its most debated laws.
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