New Delhi: The All-India Catholic Union (AICU) has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and halt the revival of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 (APFRA), warning that such a move poses “a grave threat to constitutional freedoms, personal liberty, and India’s pluralistic fabric.” In a detailed memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, the AICU urged the Union Government to repeal the Act “in the interest of peace, harmony, and religious coexistence,” describing it as regressive and discriminatory.
Established in 1909, the AICU is India’s oldest lay Catholic organisation, known for its advocacy on human rights and interfaith harmony. In its statement, the Union expressed deep concern that reviving APFRA an anti-conversion law originally passed but never implemented would “vitiate social harmony in a state long admired for peace and prosperity.” The memorandum underscored that the move not only undermines constitutional guarantees but also risks reigniting sectarian tensions in Arunachal Pradesh’s diverse and largely peaceful society.
Citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees every individual the right to freely profess, practise, and propagate religion, the AICU said the Act’s “vague and sweeping definitions of ‘forced conversion’” would effectively criminalise voluntary acts of faith. “By empowering the state to monitor and regulate religious choices, the Act infringes upon individual liberty and privacy,” the Union argued, linking it to a potential violation of Article 21, which protects personal freedom.
The memorandum also criticised Section 5(1) of the APFRA, which it said “opens the door to discrimination against religious minorities.” The AICU pointed out that the law remains silent on “reconversion campaigns” often conducted under the banner of Ghar Wapasi, thereby creating what it called a “selective and biased legal framework.”
Quoting the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment in Shafin Jahan vs. Asokan K.M., the Union reaffirmed that an adult’s right to choose one’s religion is absolute and inviolable. “In reviving this Act, there is a deliberate attempt to erode this right and control the personal conscience of individuals something fundamentally opposed to the spirit of the Constitution,” the AICU warned.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s history of coexistence, the Union described the state as a “model of peace and inclusivity,” where diverse faiths have thrived without conflict. It cautioned that introducing restrictive legislation could destabilise the region’s progress, noting that “Arunachal’s remarkable literacy rate of 82.92% and its GDP growth of 14.56% are testaments to good governance, inclusivity, and social cohesion.” Any divisive law, it argued, would deter investment, weaken civil society, and invite international criticism.
Addressing claims that the Act protects tribal traditions, the AICU countered that “true preservation of indigenous customs lies not in coercive laws but in education, empowerment, and participatory development.” It emphasised that faith and culture must evolve through understanding, not fear.
The Union also reminded the Prime Minister that “successive governments in Arunachal Pradesh, across party lines, have refrained from enforcing the Act for nearly five decades” precisely because of its potentially destabilising effects. Concluding its appeal, the AICU urged the Prime Minister to “uphold constitutional values, discourage sectarian politics, and ensure that the spirit of religious freedom remains intact in India’s northeastern frontier.”
The memorandum stands as a strong moral and constitutional appeal, positioning the AICU as a steadfast voice for religious liberty and national unity at a time of renewed debate over faith and state in India.