The Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) recently appealed to the CM to rename the department of indigenous affairs (DIA) with its already notified name, the department of indigenous faith & cultural affairs (DIFCA). The DIA has been established with a motto to promote the indigenous faith and cultural affairs of the tribal population of the state which has been witnessing a decline over the years. The department has been funding the construction of indigenous places of worship across the state. It is also funding various activities to promote indigenous faith in the state.
Even though in a secular democracy the state funding one particular religious group goes against secular values, the people of the state have mostly supported activities undertaken by the DIA in the hope that it would help to promote the unique tribal faith. However, the state government also needs to look into the grievances of all the religious communities of the state. Arunachal Pradesh has a massive tribal Christian and Hindu population. They should not feel left out and for this, the state government needs to assure them and make them feel secure. Ideally, in a democratic form of governance, the government should stay away from religion. The government should concentrate on improving governance.