ITANAGAR, Oct 17: The Nyishi Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society (NIFSC) denounced the demand of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) seeking roll back of the creation of Department of Indigenous Faith and Cultural Affairs (DIFCA) and urged the state government not to succumb to the undue pressure of the ACF.
In a release, the NIFSC stated that indigenous customs, culture, faith and belief system are facing serious threat of disappearance and extinction.
“Many of the vibrant age-old customary practices and belief systems of the native people have already disappeared or eroded from the society due to onslaught of several alien cultures and institutionalized wanton appropriation of an indigenous culture”, it said, adding that even the basic identity of material culture, artefacts, motifs and relics of the native people are being destroyed recklessly and deliberately day by day.
Further reasoning that the endangered faith and culture, rightly deserved to be protected, preserved and promoted by the welfare government of the day, the NIFSC said that the creation of the DIFCA should not to be seen as depredation and inimical to other religious groups, but rather be welcomed and appreciated.
The Arunachal Indigenous Students Union (AISU) through a press release on Tuesday also appealed to the ACF to withdraw its ultimatum to the state government.
The AISU said that creation of the department is important for the indigenous people of the state as it would minimize unemployment amongst youths as well as preserve state’s rich indigenous culture and custom.
Meanwhile, the All Apatani Danyi Piillo Society also expressed its gratitude to the state government for approving the creation of DIFCA and to the team of Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh for pursuing its establishment.
