Christians apologize for burning idol of Goddess Ain Donyi in Arunachal

Itanagar, July 17: Days after the Christian community members allegedly burnt the idol of Janjati Goddess Ain Donyi in Seppa in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, the leaders of the Christian community have apologized for the incident.

“One lady who was previously in other religion has recently converted to Christianity. She wanted to do away or destroy all the symbols of her old religion. And this is why the destruction of that religious symbol took place in Kameng district. Our Christian leaders in the district, in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner, have tendered an apology and expressed regret for that particular incident,” Toko Tei, the Chief of Christian Forum, was heard as saying.

The incident shocked many in the area. Tajum Tasung from Vanvai Kalyan Ashram said, “The action of Christians in the Seppa region is shameful. I condemn the incident. I have never seen anything like this. This is a very dangerous work. No religious permits desecration of another religious symbol and idol. Why did they do this? We are ready to take action.”

The Legal Rights Protection Forum drafted a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 8, seeking the intervention of the government in this matter and sought a direction to the state DGP to conduct a fair and free investigation into the case.

The Legal Rights Protection Forum wrote to BJP MP and Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy, about the ‘predatory proselytization’ by Christian missionaries and the danger it poses to ‘indigenous Faith and traditions of Arunachal Pradesh’. The letter urged Reddy to intervene into the matter and direct the DGP of Arunachal Pradesh to conduct a fair investigation into the case.

Besides, the group urged the MP to set up an inquiry commission and investigate the threats of rampant conversions and implement the recommendations of the commission in a time-bound manner. The letter urged Reddy to appoint a Nodal officer in each district to address and resolve the issues faced by indigenous communities. The group further urged to digitize tribal customs and rituals such that they are protected for future generations.

Meanwhile, an FIR was filed against the Pentecostal Church of Seppa, Chatung Sopung, and Tali Langro by the religious and cultural units of the East Kameng district for burning the symbol of the Supreme Goddess Ain Donyi (Mother of the Sun).

These groups said that the actions of the pastor had hurt their religious sentiments. In the FIR, the complainant said that the clergy’s action violates sections 295A and 298 of the IPC and 3, 4, and 5 of the Freedom of Indigenous Faith Act of Arunachal Pradesh. The pastor and his followers burnt down the icons and idols of Ain Donyi in the name of Jesus. The pastor was heard saying in a viral video, “In the name of Jesus, we destroy the powers of all the enemies.” As per the News18 report, the accused were initially arrested but were released on bail now.

The Donyi-Polo faith is prevalent among the people of Arunachal Pradesh. It is centered around the worship of the sun and the moon.