Arunachal: Torch march held amid row over immigration and religious structures
Reported by Sandeep Sarma
Guwahati: Amid the ongoing debate in Arunachal Pradesh over religious conversions and the proposed implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, sections of the state's Muslim community have expressed concern that they could increasingly come under scrutiny.
The apprehensions have intensified following a bandh called by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organization (APIYO) on May 28, coinciding with Eid-ul-Adha celebrations. The organization cited concerns over alleged illegal immigration, violations of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and the presence of what it termed unauthorized mosques and madrassas in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR).
The bandh came shortly after Chief Minister Pema Khandu held discussions with various indigenous organisations on issues relating to illegal immigration, tribal rights and enforcement of the ILP regime. During the meeting, the government reportedly indicated that action could be taken against 12 mosques, madrassas and other religious structures.
Although no major incidents of violence were reported during the shutdown, its timing on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha drew criticism from minority groups, who alleged that the protest was intended to disrupt the religious observances of Muslims, including the traditional practice of animal sacrifice associated with the festival.
The developments are unfolding against the backdrop of a broader movement by indigenous organisations seeking stronger protections for tribal communities. Alongside campaigns against alleged illegal immigration, groups such as the Janajati Suraksha Manch (JSM) have also intensified demands for the removal of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from individuals who have converted to Christianity or Islam.
According to the 2011 Census, Muslims constitute around 1.95 per cent of Arunachal Pradesh's population, with approximately 27,000 residents identifying with the faith. The state remains predominantly inhabited by indigenous tribal communities, alongside followers of Christianity, Buddhism and traditional tribal belief systems.
In recent years, indigenous groups have stepped up campaigns targeting alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants and unauthorised religious structures. While these organisations maintain that their efforts are aimed at preserving tribal land rights, culture and demographic balance, some members of the Muslim community fear that the discourse is increasingly taking on a religious dimension.
Since 2023, APIYO has led several campaigns demanding the identification and deportation of alleged illegal migrants and the removal of structures it claims were built in violation of land regulations and the ILP framework.
The organisation has particularly focused on religious structures located in areas such as Nirjuli, Naharlagun, Nigam Colony and other parts of the capital region. It has also accused authorities of failing to effectively enforce ILP regulations and allowing undocumented migrants to settle in certain urban areas.
APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak and other leaders, including Tapor Maying, have repeatedly asserted that the movement is directed solely against illegal immigration and unauthorised constructions, and not against any religious community or lawful Indian citizens. The bandh was organised under the slogan, “No Dismantle, No Solution.”
The protest followed a meeting convened by Chief Minister Khandu with the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee (ASTBAC) and other tribal bodies to discuss issues including ILP digitisation, fake APST certificates, illegal immigration and measures for safeguarding tribal interests.
Reacting to the developments, North Eastern Minority Students Union (NEMSU) president Badarul Islam criticised the agitation and alleged that certain groups were attempting to interfere with the religious freedoms of Muslims in the state.
“We have seen an undemocratic trend in Itanagar where some organisations are demanding the demolition of mosques and madrassas and trying to obstruct Muslims from celebrating Eid and carrying out religious practices. We strongly condemn such attempts. India is a secular and democratic country, and every citizen has the right to practise their religion freely,” he said.
Islam added that any foreign national residing illegally in the state should be identified and deported in accordance with the law, but argued that bona fide Indian citizens should not face harassment.
“If any foreigner is staying illegally, they should be detected and deported as per legal provisions. However, targeting Indian citizens in the process is unacceptable,” he said.
He also accused the state government of not doing enough to address concerns raised by minority communities.
Meanwhile, Sapoon Parag, a youth from Assam’s Lakhimpur district, claimed that the ongoing campaign was affecting not only Muslims but also workers from Assam employed in Arunachal Pradesh.
“They are not only targeting minority Muslims. There have also been calls for people from Assam to leave the state, and some have reportedly received legal notices. A large number of workers from Assam are employed at construction sites across Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.
“If people from Assam leave the state in large numbers, it could affect several sectors that depend on their labour,” he added.
Arunachal Pradesh's land protection laws and the ILP system provide significant safeguards for indigenous communities against large-scale migration and demographic changes. At the same time, constitutional provisions guarantee equality before the law and freedom of religion to all citizens.
The state government is also moving forward with the process of framing rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, which prohibits religious conversion through force, fraud or inducement.
Against this backdrop, demands for action against certain mosques and madrassas have heightened concerns among sections of the Muslim community, who fear they may increasingly find themselves caught in the wider debate surrounding identity, migration and indigenous rights in Arunachal Pradesh.