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“Today, we declare, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we do not support APFRA. We want peace. We want development in Arunchal Pradesh. We reject religious intolerance. We want the love of Jesus Christ.”
This was the statewide declaration of thousands of Christians in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh who were moved to action to peacefully protest the enforcement of legislation that they believe will be used to target them and other religious minorities.
Open Doors partners attended one of the April 30 gatherings and captured this powerful video:
Though enacted in 1978, the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA) has remained inactive until recent years due to strong opposition and a lack of implementation guidance.
However, talks have been underway since 2024 to enforce the act, prompting tensions to escalate between the state government and the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), which has led the protests.
In response, a High-Power Committee (HPC) comprised of government representatives alongside members of the ACF and indigenous groups was formed. Despite seeming progress, meetings held by the committee on March 19 and April 21 failed to reach a resolution.
During the April meeting, ACF representatives walked out in protest, saying that the committee did not fairly represent Christians.
“The state government, by constituting the HPC, is now trying to forcibly impose the APFRA and is rushing to frame rules by the end of April 2026,” says an ACF representative. “In response, the ACF organized a statewide protest on April 30 against the alleged attempt to forcibly frame the rules of the Act.”
The fears of many believers are rooted in the repeated abuse of laws focused on conversion and religious freedom. Such legislation has often been used to condemn or harass minority faiths, and is spreading in many parts of India. Currently, 12 states have implemented anti-conversion laws, with Maharashtra state potentially the next.
Under APFRA, individuals will be required to inform the deputy commissioner before changing their faith. Christians in the region fear that it could make them appear to be criminals for simply practicing their faith.
Despite growing opposition against many Christians in India, the thousands of protesters who gathered on April 30 did so with marked peace. Believers from different denominations gathered under the banner of the ACF, emphasizing unity and peaceful protest.
In the state’s capital city, Atangar, believers stood together for more than six hours, despite heavy rain.
Open Doors local partners Tali* and Arup* observed the positive atmosphere. “There is a noticeable shift,” Arup shares. “People are not just expressing opposition, but they are doing so with awareness and discipline.”
Despite pressure and hostility towards Christians appearing to increase in areas of India, many remain hopeful. As one participant says, “The struggle has been long, but the faith of the people remains strong.”
Please continue to stand and pray with our brothers and sisters in Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of India.
*Names changed for security reasons
