Amidst protests arunachal pradesh cm khandu says apfra aims to preserve rich cultural heritage

Amidst protests arunachal pradesh cm khandu says apfra aims to preserve rich cultural heritage

Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Thursday appealed to the people of the state not to ‘misinterpret‘ the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, for which the rules are being framed as per an order of the Gauhati High Court.

Members of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) had on Monday observed an eight-hour long hunger strike to protest against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978.

In his address during the 39th Statehood Day celebrations at IG Park, Khandu said that the Act, which was passed in the assembly in 1978 under the first chief minister of the state PK Thungon, when Arunachal Pradesh was a Union Territory, is not against any religion but to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the state.

‘Since 1978, the Act has remained as a two-page document. Rules weren't framed. However, when an individual took it to the court, the bench of the Gauhati High Court ordered the state government to frame the rules within six months. The department concerned and the state government is abiding by the court's directives and the initial draft is being prepared,’ he informed.

Khandu assured that the Act will not be against any religion but for the good of all. He regretted that people are misinterpreting it by giving it political and religious colors. ‘Some people are misinterpreting it on social media and mainstream media platforms. This is not good for the peace and communal harmony in the state,’ he observed.

The CM said that the doors of the state government are c consultations to clear all misgivings about the Act. In fac Home Minister Mama Natung will be holding consulta stakeholders beginning February 21.