Itanagar, July 10: Dr. Yumri Taipodia, former Pastor of Arunachal Christian Prayer Centre, has called for the repeal of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, arguing that the legislation should be reviewed in light of constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and changing social realities.
In a detailed public statement titled “A Clarion Call for Repeal of APFRA 1978,” Dr. Taipodia said laws must evolve with society and be reassessed to ensure they continue to uphold justice, individual liberty, and human dignity.
He noted that APFRA was enacted in 1978 during a period when concerns existed over preserving indigenous traditions and maintaining social harmony. According to him, while preventing religious conversions through force, fraud, or inducement was a legitimate objective, the law’s continued relevance should now be examined.
Referring to Article 25 of the Constitution of India, Dr. Taipodia said every citizen has the fundamental right to profess, practice, and propagate religion. He argued that personal faith is a matter of individual conscience and that any legal restrictions must remain clear, necessary, and proportionate.
Dr. Taipodia also expressed concern over the wording of the Act, particularly terms such as “inducement” and “allurement,” stating that their broad interpretation could create uncertainty for individuals and organisations engaged in charitable and humanitarian work.
He further maintained that decisions relating to religious belief or conversion are deeply personal and should not be subject to unnecessary government scrutiny. While supporting legal action against coercion or fraudulent conversions, he said voluntary decisions of faith should remain protected.
Addressing arguments that APFRA helps preserve social harmony, Dr. Taipodia stated that lasting communal peace is better achieved through dialogue, mutual respect, and understanding rather than restrictive legislation. He cautioned that laws perceived as targeting particular communities could contribute to mistrust and social division.
He also questioned whether a separate anti-conversion law remains necessary, noting that existing criminal laws already provide legal remedies against coercion, fraud, intimidation, and other unlawful acts.
Calling for constructive public dialogue, Dr. Taipodia urged policymakers, civil society organisations, constitutional experts, and community leaders to re-examine the Act through consultation and consensus. He suggested that strengthening existing criminal laws, promoting public awareness, encouraging interfaith dialogue, and building trust among communities would better address concerns without limiting individual freedoms.
Concluding his statement, Dr. Taipodia described the repeal of APFRA as a step toward aligning state legislation with constitutional values. He said the issue should be viewed not as a matter of religious conflict but as an opportunity to reaffirm the principles of freedom of conscience, equality, and democratic governance.
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