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Pema Khandu

  • Anti-Conversion Legislation Being Repealed

    Chief Minister Pema Khandu at a celebration - Image: World Watch Monitor www.worldwatchmonitor.org
    Chief Minister Pema Khandu (second from front left) during a celebration in memory of a Christian missionary respected in the state for preaching peace.
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    Anti-conversion legislation has been a part of several Indian states for many years. It was first introduced in Orissa in 1968 and has since been introduced in six other states -- the most recent being Uttarakhand in March 2018. (For more details, visit this page.)

    In a surprise announcement, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh intends to repeal the 1978 Freedom of Religion Act. In making the proclamation on June 28th, he stated that the act, rather than providing freedom of religion, "could undermine secularism and is probably targeted towards Christians." According to The Hindu news service, Christians account for more than half the population of the state.