Tribal organisations strongly oppose permission to the Arunachal Christian Prayer Festival in Itanagar

• Grant of such permission is unconstitutional and condemnable : Apatani Danyi-Piilo Meder Nello Council, a tribal organisation

• Accusation of a ploy to convert natives

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) : The tribal organisations strongly opposed the State Government granting permission to hold a programme by Christian missionaries. The organisations claimed that the decision was not only condemnable but also unconstitutional based on the circular issued by the Arunachal Pradesh Government in 1979 which states that programmes by Christians or other communities should not be allowed which are harmful to the culture of the original tribes in the State. The local tribal organisation ‘Apatani Danyi-Piilo Meder Nello Council (the Council)’ has released a press note. Janajati Suraksha Manch Arunachal Pradesh (JSMAP) and Arunachal Indigenous Students’ Union have also extended support to this press note. JSMAP has lodged a complaint with the Police against the State Chief Secretary and Itanagar’s Deputy Police Commissioner in this context.

This press note says, the ‘Arunachal Christian Prayer Festival’ has been organised at the Indira Gandhi Park area. Christian missionary Paul Dhinakaran will be attending this festival. The State Government has granted permission for the same.

The Council has contested the Government’s decision, stating that as per the Government rules, it is necessary to be alert about the intentions of people from any religious organisation for the protection of the welfare of local tribal communities.

It is the policy of the Government to maintain cultural and social harmony in the State and attempts to take the local simple people, away from their original culture. Christians or non-Christians should not be allowed to convert people from the local tribal community.

Source : Sanatan Prabhat