Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Catholic Church in the state, governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
On July 17, the Chief Minister met with Bishop Benny Edathittayel of Itanagar, Bishop George Palliparambil of Miao, and the members of the Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association, led by Shri Taw Tebin Ji.
“Their tireless efforts in promoting peace, education, and social welfare in our state are truly commendable,” Khandu said on his official Facebook page.
“I deeply appreciate the Catholic community’s dedication to raising awareness on critical issues like corruption, drug abuse, and the money culture in elections, contributing to a more informed and responsible society,” he added.
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the several states that introduced the anti-Christian legislation – Freedom of Religion Act in 1978, according to a report by Matters India.
Similar laws exist in several other states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha.
Anti-conversion laws are legislative measures designed to prevent or limit religious conversions.
These laws may be employed to deter individuals from abandoning a particular faith or to inhibit religious groups from actively recruiting members from different religious backgrounds.
The specifics of these laws, including their provisions and enforcement, vary by jurisdiction and can carry both criminal and civil penalties.
Christian leaders argue that the implementation of these laws could favor dominant religions and suppress minority faiths.
Pema Khandu, born on August 21, 1979, is serving his second term as Chief Minister. He is the son of the late Shri Dorjee Khandu, a former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.
