A case study to understand the sentiments of the monpas with the rise of christianity in Tawang district

Abstract

Arunachal Pradesh is a home to 26 major tribe and more than 100 sub tribes. Each tribe has its own beliefs, customs, dialect, attire, faith and religion. These give people a sense of who they are and from where they belong. Basically, these give an identity to an individual. Today, in Arunachal Pradesh majority of the people are renouncing their indigenous faith and started embracing Christianity as their religion. Modernity in the form of Christianity has brought in a new form of culture and people are losing it own identity. However, Christianity has not been able to make significant inroads to the Monpa tribe, where people are predominantly Buddhist. Recently, a construction of a church in the region of Tawang has sparked controversies between Christians and Buddhists community. In this context, the present study tried to analyse the growing controversies between these two communities. The study also tried to understand the rise of Christianity and people's perspective towards Christianity in Tawang region. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. During the course of study, it is found that Buddhism in the Tawang has a deep root as it was institutionalized more than 300 years ago. Majority of Monpas are very conservative and devoted to Buddhism. They see Christians as aggressive proselytizer, whose only intension is to convert one's belief. Monpas were afraid of losing their identity if Christians were allowed to construct church in the district. On the other hand, the Christians believe that there should be space for both the religions and Monpas have no right to take hold of the basic fundamental right. The issue is still underway; there is a need of mutual understanding between these two communities by considering the religious sentiments, and to maintain peace, tranquility and communal harmony in the state.