Large scale conversion of tribals in Arunachal Pradesh

Identity of the tribals in danger due to these religious conversions

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) – A mass religious conversion of tribals is going on in Arunachal Pradesh and because of this the tribals of the State are on the verge of losing their original identity and become Christians. In 2001, the Christian population in the State was 18.72%, which increased to 30.26% by 2011. Most of those converted were tribals. On the other hand, the number of Muslims is also increasing to some extent. In 2001, the population of Muslims was 1.88% and in 2011, it increased to 1.95%.

Katung Wahge, President of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) said that our people have become Hindus and Christians. Some have now become Muslims. IFCSAP was established to prevent religious conversions and save the tribal culture. Our organisation has been campaigning to save local culture for 24 years. For this, ‘Adim Aastha Day’ is celebrated on 1st December every year.

Nakha Hina Nabam, Professor of Political Science at the Rajiv Gandhi University said that the religious conversion of the tribals is worrying. In the beginning, our people believed that God was in everything; but those who propagate monotheism have had a lot of influence on the society here. The people who are responsible for these religious conversions now hate our culture. There are still some people who religiously convert and change their faith to get relief from suffering and illness.

Editorial Perspective

In North India, the work of religiously converting tribal Hindus by church organisations is going on in full swing. If this is to be stopped, the Government should dissolve the foreign funding license of such institutions and put the people who are involved in conversion behind bars.