Media Release
Itanagar, Feb 21: The 107-year-old All India Catholic Union has concluded a historic meeting of its working committee in Itanagar, the capital of the beautiful state of Arunachal Pradesh in India’s North East, finding a unique opportunity to understand the issues of the Christian community in the state and the region.
Christians in the North East confront evolving threats from laws, exclusions, and incidents. Governments must reaffirm religious freedom, protect minorities, and promote harmony, resisting restrictive enforcements.
“The All-India Catholic Union [AICU] calls upon the state governments to ensure security to religious minority communities, deliver justice and foster peace. It is the duty of the state administrations to assure freedom of religion and belief to all citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution, and not allow vested interests to demonise minorities, specially Christians,” AICU national president Elias Vaz said.
"The North East hosts diverse ethnic and religious communities. Christians constitute a substantial population in several states and play key roles in education, healthcare, and social services.
"The AICU leadership is fully aware of recent developments and consequent rising challenges, including legislative restrictions, demands for exclusion from tribal entitlements, and targeted incidents, which undermine religious freedom and communal stability.
"Despite ethnic diversity and past insurgency, largely avoided religious conflicts until efforts to enforce the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA) 1978 intensified. Enacted 48 years ago to prohibit conversions by force, inducement, or fraud, the Act includes provisions that could criminalise core Christian practices like baptism.
"Successive administrations refrained from implementation, acknowledging its divisive impact. Without enforcement, Arunachal experienced coexistence among indigenous faiths like Donyi-Polo, Christianity, and others. Christians comprise 30.26% of the 13.80 lakh population per the 2011 census, with growth linked to voluntary adoption of the faith.
"The AICU agrees with the ACF feeling that the law targets Christians and risks misuse against converts.
"There have been counter protests by some groups, and there are signs of escalated intra-tribal tensions, with disturbing reports of social boycotts, resource disputes, and exclusion in remote areas. This is an unfortunate reflection of communal upsurge in various northern states in recent times which have brought to a 12th place in international listings.
"In October 2025, AICU wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, objecting to the revival as a threat to constitutional rights and urging repeal for harmony. AICU calls on the state government to abandon enforcement, initiate dialogues, and engage the National Human Rights Commission to uphold secularism and avert unrest.
"An area of continuing and great concern is Manipur’s ethnic violence, ignited in May 2023 over Scheduled Tribe status for Meiteis, has so far resulted in over 258 deaths, displaced 60,000, and destroyed more than 400 churches, and many rapes. The community to suffer most is the Kuki-Zo, who are Christian. Some Meitei were also victims as also mixed marriage families.
"Entering its third year in 2025, hostilities continue with killings, abductions, and arson. Armed gangs now exist among the majority Meiti as also in the Kuki Zo, their clashes exacerbating displacement.
"Survivors endure severe trauma, including sexual violence and abductions. Archbishop Dominic Lumon highlighted disproportionate church targeting. UN experts have condemned biases and called for protections. The government’s response faces criticism for insufficient safeguards and divisive policies.
"In October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state, announcing development funds, but ground reports indicate ongoing displacement, assaults, and church attacks into late 2025. Over 11,000 homes and 360 church institutions destroyed. The AICU urges the Union government to monitor the situation closely to ensure effective mediation, rebuilding, and aid to prevent regional spread.
"Mizoram state has over 87% Christians, upholds internal peace but contends with border challenges. Mizoram has sheltered 43,788 Myanmar Chin refugees since the 2021 coup in that country. Chief Minister Lalduhoma has opposed border fencing, seeing it as dividing kin and clans.
"Cuts have been reported in Central assistance in 2025 which has strained resources, suspending US-funded health projects and allied work. The AICU endorses refugee support and harmony.
Meghalaya’s 75% Christian population encounters growing pressures, according to information from the people. Some groups are pushing for delisting Christian tribals from Scheduled Tribes, using the Hindutva argument that conversion voids entitlements.
"There have been incidents including church vandalism, leading to tourism curbs. The AICU has expressed its sympathy in the recent tragedy in which many “rat coal miners” have died, and has urged the state government to monitor safety measures and adequate compensation to the inured and the families of the dead.
"In Nagaland with a 90% Christian, the people and government have condemned the nationwide attacks on fellow Christians throughout last year, peaking with over 150 incidents of violence, disruptions and desecrations in different parts of the country.
"In January 2026, the Baptist church wrote to Prime Minister Modi, highlighting escalating persecution, and urging intervention.
"But the state has itself seen the Centre delaying the visa to internationally well-known preacher like Franklin Graham so long that he had to cancel his trip. underscore restrictions. 20 Right-wing groups baselessly allege forced conversions, breeding hostility. As elsewhere in the country, vital interfaith and community dialogues.
"Assam is another state of concern with its recent and high-profile incidents of targeted hate and incitement to violence against religious minorities. Christians too are under threat with certain right-wing groups threatening Christian tribals and demanding that they be delisted. The Kutumbha Suraksha Parishad’s 2023 ultimatums targeted school symbols and clergy attire.
"Similarly, the 2024 Healing Practices Act has been misused to curb prayer services. In December 2025, Hindutva goons vandalised a Christmas crib and decorations at a catholic school.
"AICU’s Tripura leaders report that religious minorities confront delisting drives, even as non-state actors harass schools in particular, sometimes leading to violence. These incidents disrupt harmony and erode religious freedom Sikkim’s 10% Christians live peacefully but pursue Scheduled Caste status for lower castes like Kami, Damai, and Sharki, which have been excluded since 1978 despite persistent disadvantages. Over 40,000 persons have been reported affected. The All-Sikkim Ishai Kami Damai Sharki Welfare Association advocates inclusion, seeking 5% reservation hike. The AICU supports these demands.
"On the national level, the All-India Catholic Union one again stresses that the government and political leaders of all parties must ensure there is no erosion in conditional guarantees to all citizens, and particularly to religious and ethnic minorities such ad Tribals- Adivasis and the Dalits. The AICU has stood firmly with Dalit Christians since the presidential order of 1950 demanding restoration of their rights be restored and they be included in the Schedule Caste list.
"The demand by sone extreme right-wing groups that Tribals-Adivasis be delisted and shorn of their rights over their land, water, and forest resource is a political conspiracy. The challenge demands united action by religious, social and political organisations
"The AICU urges the Union government to increase budgetary allocations for religious minorities, restore and expand the scope of academic scholarships from junior school to post-doctoral research. The government must urgently nominator members to the National Minority Commission, and similar organisations that are lying dead," he said.