Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday underscored the importance of safeguarding indigenous faiths, culture and traditions, saying loss of roots amounts to loss of identity. He was speaking after inaugurating a newly consecrated Donyi Polo Kargu Gamgi, a prayer and cultural centre, at Modirijo near Itanagar.
The chief minister said preservation of indigenous belief systems should not be seen as opposition to any other religion, reiterating that India’s secular framework guarantees freedom of faith to all. He lauded the community-led effort behind the centre’s construction, noting that over 700 donors contributed to turning a long-cherished vision into reality.
Khandu highlighted that indigenous belief systems form the original spiritual foundation of tribal societies and stressed the need to protect them amid rapid modernisation. He said institutions like kargu gamgi play a crucial role in sustaining faith, social harmony and cultural continuity, especially among younger generations.
The chief minister also said the state government is working to strengthen indigenous identity through policy initiatives, infrastructure support and plans to establish a dedicated university for indigenous studies to ensure long-term preservation of faith and cultural knowledge.
