Freedom of religion: What does it actually mean in Arunachal?

On June 28, BJP Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Prema Khandu, graced “Prem Milan”, the 10th death anniversary of Catholic priest and proselytiser, Brother Prem Bhai. Prem Bhai was a Benedictine missionary, who spent a quarter of a century converting indigenous tribals despite the “Freedom of Religion Act” of 1978, which explicitly prohibits conversion through “force” or “inducement.”

At this meeting, Khandu was widely quoted as saying that this law should be repealed: “It could undermine secularism and is probably targeted towards Christians.” He further added, “It could be misused in future by irresponsible officials” and that “any misuse of the law leading to torture of people could trigger large-scale violence in the state and could break Arunachal into pieces.” Khandu’s remarks attracted widespread criticism, both within Arunachal Pradesh and outside.

Issuing a clarification, BJP general secretary, Ram Madhav, tweeted, “There is no truth in it. The CM has clearly stated that a wide-ranging consultation about its efficacy will be undertaken, not its repeal.” Echoing this, Bamang Felix, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Information, and Public Relations, added, “He [Khandu] never said it will be repealed. We will examine it in the Cabinet, take it up for discussion in the Assembly, talk to all sections of the people of the state and then decide if it needs to be repealed.”

Khandu, however, seemed carried away by the occasion. Praising Prem Bhai for “contributing to the development” of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu called him a “saint.” Curious to know more, I watched some videos on Prem Bhai.

The irony couldn’t be starker: While Khandu called him “saint,” Catholic Radio TV Net (CRTN) openly lauded him as “soul hunter,” a “missionary who wore disguises to evangelize.” Prem Bhai, no doubt, was a remarkable missionary, walking thousands of kilometres into the remotest villages to spread Christianity. The footage captured just how untouched by development these were, without roads, drinking water or sanitation. Prem Bhai himself admitted that what the villagers really need was medical help. Instead, they prayed when sick. Prem Bhai taught them to pray the Christian way, claiming to heal them through the miraculous power of the holy spirit.

Instead of schools or hospitals, Prem Bhai helped establish churches wherever he went. Here, the newly converted raised their hands to a new deity to heal and help. Khandu praised Prem for “tremendous changes” in Nyishi society, but the leader of the Nyishi Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society, Pai Dawe, said the Chief Minister’s statement was “very unfortunate.” Dawe added, “Though it was never implemented, the law helped stop rampant conversions by allurement…. If it is repealed, there will be mass conversions, even at gunpoint, not just to Christianity but any other religion.”

Prem Bhai himself revealed how he practically never spent any time in jail though he was arrested or tailed by the police. Many Christians in the administration, including police officers, civil servants, and political leaders, repeatedly saved him. Watching these documentaries, in which several Catholic priests, right up to the bishop, speak freely about conversion, it is clear that The Freedom of Religion Act has never been properly enforced. 

The law calls for intimation of every conversion to the Deputy Commissioner or similar authority. I doubt whether this was done. Else how did the number of Christians in the state, which was less than 1 per cent in 1971, rise to 30 per cent by 2011? If the law had been followed, these conversations would have had to be notified and investigated.

The law is quite comprehensive, including “threat of divine displeasure or social excommunication” under “threat” and “misrepresentation or any other fraudulent contrivance” under “inducement” including “offer of any gift or gratification…pecuniary or otherwise.” Surely, offering healing miracles and fulfilment of worldly desires, not to mention salvation heaven, come under its purview? If it is indeed to be modified, instead of fear of conversion, it should emphasise the right to practice one’s ancestral and customary ways of life. Everyone has a right not to be preached to, not to be told that his or her religion is pagan, inferior, animist, or will lead him or her to hell. Freedom of religion should also mean the right not to be converted, not to be harassed, not to be misled or brainwashed, the right to say DND (Do Not Disturb) to proselytizers.

In the meanwhile, if the government offers roads, sanitation, drinking water, and clinics in every village, the miraculous healing of the missionaries will have less appeal. The tragedy of Arunachal Pradesh is that at least so far, the politicians have eaten up the roads, clinics, pipes, cement, steel, and whatever else was needed for development. Even Itanagar has practically no infrastructure, only traffic jams with large and imported cars that belong to the rich.

The author is a poet and professor at JNU. Views expressed are personal.