NPP demands repeal of Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 3, 2025

The National People’s Party (NPP) has passed a resolution to demand for repeal of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (FRA), 1978.

The resolution for the repeal of the Act was moved by Executive Member of the NC, Washi Yalem, which was seconded by National General Secretary (Organisation) Paknga Bage during the party’s National Committee (NC) and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Tura on September 2.

The meeting was attended by members from different state delegates, including senior NC members, who termed the Act as ‘infringement of the fundamental rights’ of Indian citizens.

Taking part in the discussion on the resolution for the repeal of the Act, the NC members felt that the implementation of the Act would create chaos in the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The members remarked that the Act is in violation of the constitutional provisions.

National Working President, James K Sangma said that the Act should be repealed for its draconian nature.

He stated that Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom of conscience, and the implementation of FRA will lead to misuse of several existing laws.

He said that as a political party, NPP is against this Act, which is infringement of the rights of individuals. K.T. Thomas, President Kerala Unit of NPP termed the Act against the ‘spirit of the country’, which witnessed the birth of four major religion – Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

“Conversion was happening throughout Indian history. In the beginning of the first century, Christianity was introduced in India by St. Thomas around AD 52, latter Islam came to India, Persians, Jews…from this perspective the Act is against the spirit of this nation”. National President Conrad K. Sangma said that there should be no space for such a law.

“The danger of such Act is that certain administration may misuse the law, to target individuals. For us as a party, we have to stand against this Act, and as a united force we should demand the repeal of this Act. NPP will not accept any law that will oppress and target certain minority communities”, he added.

The party will come up with necessary papers seeking intervention from the Government in Arunachal Pradesh for repeal of the Act.

The party is also approaching New Delhi’s intervention to prevent the implementation of the Act in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, is a law to prevent conversions from one religious faith to another through force, inducement, or fraudulent means. It was enacted to protect the indigenous cultural and religious practices of the state but remained dormant for decades due to a lack of implementation rules and political pressure from significant Christian groups.