Pema Khandu – a Buddhist who heads the nationalist BJP-led state government in Arunachal Pradesh, made the surprising promise at an event marking ten years since a lay Benedictine missionary died in the country.
Speaking to a Catholic audience – which included nine bishops, he said: “Though I have been told that the law has been never implemented … in future, it could be misused by a chief minister, chief secretary or DGP [director general of police].
“Any misuse of the law leading to the torture of people could trigger large-scale violence in the state and could break Arunachal into pieces.”
The current 1978 act prohibits “conversion from one religious faith to any other … by use of force or inducement or by fraudulent means and for matters connected therewith”.
Violators can be imprisoned for up to two years and given a fine of up to $150.
Taw Tebin, the president of Arunchal Pradesh Catholic Association, told World Watch Monitor: “This law has always remained a threat to the Christians. The declaration by the chief minister is a big relief for the Christian community.”
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