APCC slams CM Pema Khandu over communal disharmony at Tawang

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has condemned Chief Minister Pema Khandu for looking the other way on the issue of "Church Construction" in Tawang district, and alleged that the issue has caused communal disharmony among the inhabitants.

The APCC, in a press statement, said that the people of the 25th State of the Union of India largely practise secularism and democratic tolerance. However, Arunachal Pradesh — which was once known as the most peaceful State in India — has now turned into a 'hub of religious hate crime' under the Khandu-led BJP government, alleged the APCC.

The Congress also condemned the recent illegitimate arrest and administrative torture and harassment inflicted on Christian pastors, leaders and believers in Tawang. Such is the form of targeted religious persecution dividing the people and peaceful equilibrium in the State.

"The arising 'Communal disharmony' and the 'Silent Chief Minister' is precisely sending a message across the State that the Chief Minister, who is also a MLA from Tawang district, is endorsing religious discrimination; and has no intention of protecting the legitimate rights of Christian Community in the State," the committee added.

The APCC has urged the State government to give equal rights and justice to the Christian community in Tawang by giving them allotments of lands at the present site for Church construction which has been pending since 1999.

The State government should also respond responsibly to the plea of the Christian community and initiate a rational and unbiased dialogue to resolve at the earliest the issue of Church construction. Such a step will spread communal harmony and religious equality in the State, the APCC release added.

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