Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Oct 16: Reacting to Arunachal Christian Forum’s (ACF) opposition to creation of Department of Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Affairs (DIFCA) by the Chief Minister Pema Khandu led government, the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has condemned the ACF for questioning the government and for demanding roll back of the cabinet decision.
Addressing a press conference at Press Club on Monday afternoon, IFCSAP President Dr. Ligu Tacho refuted the ACF’s claim that decision to create DIFCA by the state government was influenced by Rashtriya Sayamsevak Sangh(RSS).
“Allegation of dictation and influence by the RSS or any political party for its creation is completely baseless and unfounded” Dr. Tacho stated.
He further went on to add that DIFCA is created for the welfare and promotion of Indigenous cultural and identity of Schedule Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. He also stated that creation of separate indigenous department is the long standing demand of IFCSAP since its inception and the state government’s gesture should be appreciated.
IFCSAP further stated that though the state has department of Cultural Affairs, many fields especially in the line of indigenous faiths and cultural affairs, such as institutionalization of priesthood and their promotion were not touched. The Indigenous Faiths organisation argued that the state government has taken the right decision to create the department considering many indigenous faiths are on verge of extinction.
It said that opposing the creation of department by the indigenous people may be tantamount to opposing the indigenous practices. The IFCSAP demanded ACF to withdraw its demand of rolling back of the cabinet decision.
