Mosque Legality Checks or Profiling? Arunachal Grapples with Social Trust

The recent circulation of alleged anti-Muslim videos and Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation’s (APIYO) mosque inspections have opened a dangerous new chapter in Arunachal Pradesh — a state that has long prided itself on social harmony, cultural pride, and indigenous unity.

What should have remained an administrative exercise to detect illegal migrants is now threatening to morph into a communal flashpoint, fuelled by misinformation, fear, and politically charged narratives.

And this fear is real.

For many Muslims working in Arunachal for decades — as labourers, traders, drivers, small vendors — the sudden spotlight on “mosque legality” and “Bangladeshi infiltration” feels like a shifting of goalposts. “This is the first time I fear for my safety because of my Muslim identity,” said a community member who has lived in the state since 1990. His words reflect the anxiety spreading among a section of the workforce that has long contributed to the state’s economy.

Targeting or Due Diligence?

APIYO insists its drive is not anti-Muslim but anti-illegal migrant. Its president, Taro Sonam Liyak, maintains that the organisation is only checking for Bangladeshi nationals and “illegally constructed mosques,” not harassing people based on religion. He has accused detractors of circulating doctored videos to malign him, even filing cases against those spreading such rumours.

But intentions alone do not define impact.

The optics of a youth organisation entering mosques, questioning legality, and sharing selective videos online create an atmosphere of suspicion around every Muslim face — Assamese, Bihari, West Bengali, or otherwise. Even a reckless online remark — such as the viral statement accusing “workforce Muslims” of coming to Arunachal to “marry, multiply and call us kafir” — pushes the discourse dangerously close to hate speech.

And in a state where indigenous identity is already a sensitive issue, such rhetoric can ignite fires that are difficult to douse.

A Community’s Appeal for Sanity

Muslim organisations in the state have made their stance clear:
Yes, identify illegal migrants. Yes, take action against anyone attempting religious conversions. Yes, penalise illegal structures of any faith.

But do not criminalise an entire community, they say. “Not every skullcap-wearing Muslim is from Bangladesh,” one member pointed out. Their appeal is simple — let law enforcement handle illegal immigration, not vigilante-style inspections that risk profiling and communalisation.

Government Walking a Tightrope

Home Minister Mama Natung has attempted to reassure all sides, directing district authorities to ensure that no one “takes the law into their own hands.” His statement — that no one will be discriminated against on the basis of religion, tribe, or caste — is a necessary intervention, but may not be sufficient unless backed by firm administrative action.

Because the longer uncertainty prevails, the more room there is for misinformation and communal provocation.

Political Blame Game Clouds the Real Issue

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has gone on the offensive, blaming the BJP for the state’s “rising communal tension” and accusing it of turning Arunachal into a “haven of illegal immigrants.” The APCC’s warning that the state should not become a “laboratory for divisive politics” echoes fears of many who believe communal experiments from mainland India must not be imported here.

But political point-scoring cannot overshadow the real challenge: illegal immigration must be addressed within a framework that protects indigenous rights without demonising any religion.

The Path Ahead: Law, Not Sentiment

Arunachal’s Indigenous identity and the ILP regime are sacrosanct. Illegal land encroachment and unauthorised structures — be they mosques, temples, or anything else — must face legal scrutiny.

But communalising the issue will fracture the very social fabric Arunachal is proud of.

The APCC has demanded a high-level inquiry, verification of migrants, removal of illegal structures, and action against hate-mongers. These are reasonable demands — but only if implemented constitutionally, transparently, and without turning citizens into suspects based on appearance or faith.

Arunachal Deserves Better

This controversy is not just about illegal immigration — it is about what Arunachal chooses to become.

A state known for peace and coexistence cannot allow itself to slip into suspicion-driven policing or WhatsApp-driven communal narratives. Arunachal must resist the dangerous temptation to mirror the communal anxieties of the mainland.

A strong, confident society protects its borders — without losing its soul.

Also Read: Assam: Imam Saves Seven Hindu Lives Using Mosque Loudspeaker After Midnight Accident in Sribhumi