The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978

Keyword(s):
Conversion, Indigenous Faith, Force, Religious Faith

THE ARUNACHAL PRADESH FREEDOM OF RELIGION ACT, 1978
(Act No. 4 of 1978)
(Received the assent of the President of India on 25th Oct, 1978)
AN
ACT
to provide for prohibition of conversion from one religious faith to any other religious
faith by use of force or inducement or by fraudulent means and for matters connected
therewith.
Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh in the Twenty-ninth
Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1. (1) This act may be called the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978.
   (2) It extends to the whole of the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh.
   (3) It shall come into force at once.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
   (a) “Government” means the Government of the Union Territory of Arunachal
   Pradesh;
   (b) “Conversion” means renouncing one religious faith and adopting another
   religious faith, and “convert” shall be constructed accordingly;
   (c) “Indigenous faith” means such religions, beliefs and practices including rites,
   rituals, festivals. Observances, performances, abstinence, customs as have been found
   sanctioned, approved, performed by the indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh from
   the time these communities have been known and includes Buddhism as prevalent among the
   Monpas, Membas, Sherdukpens, Khambas, Khamptis and Singphos, Vaishnavism as
   practiced by Noctes, Akas and Nature worships, including worships of Donyi-Polo, as
   prevalent among other indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh;
   (d) “force” shall include show of force or a threat of injury any kind including
   threat of divine displeasure or social ex-communication;
   (e) “fraud” shall include the misrepresentation or any other fraudulent
   contrivance;
   (f) “inducement” shall include the offer of any gift or gratification, either in cash or
   in kind and shall also include the grant of any benefit, either pecuniary or otherwise;
   (g) “prescribed” means prescribed under the rules;
   Short title, extent
   and
   commencement.
   Definitions.
   (h) “religious faith” includes any indigenous faith.
3. No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any
   person from one religious faith by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent
   means nor shall any persons abet any such conversion.
4. Any person contravening the provisions contained in section 3, shall without
   prejudice to any civil liability, be punishable with imprisonment to the extent of two years
   and fine up to ten thousand rupees.
5. (1) Whoever converts any person from one religious faith to any other religious
   faith either by performing himself the ceremony necessary for such conversion as a religious
   priest or by taking part directly or indirectly in such ceremony shall, within such period after
   the ceremony as may be prescribed, send an intimation to the Deputy Commissioner of the
   District to which the person converted belongs, of the fact of such conversion in such form as
   may be prescribed.
   (2) If any person fails without sufficient cause to comply with the provisions
   contained in sub-section (1) he shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to
   one year or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.
6. An office under this Act shall be cognizable and shall not be investigated by an
   officer below the rank of an Inspector of Police.
7. No prosecution for an offence under this Act shall be instituted except by or with
   the previous sanction of the Deputy Commissioner or such other authority, not below the
   rank of an Extra Assistant Commissioner as may be authorized by him in this behalf.
8. The Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of
   this Act.
   Note: Published in the Arunachal Pradesh Gazette, Extraordinary Part III, Vol
   II, No. 22 Dated 13th November 1978.
   Power to
   make rules.
   Sanction
   for
   prosecution
   .
   Offences
   cognizable.
   Intimation
   of
   conversion
   to the
   Deputy
   Commissio
   ner and
   punishment
   .
   Punishment
   for
   contraventi
   on of the
   provisions
   section 3.
   Prohibition
   of forcible
   conversion.