[Marxistindia] Press Release

[news from the cpi(m)]

August 24, 2026

Press Release

 

On behalf of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), M. A. Baby, General
Secretary, has submitted a Memo on Census 2027, to the Registrar General of
India and Census Commissioner. We are herewith releasing the text of the
Memo for publication. 

 

Muralidharan

(For CPI(M) Central Committee Office)

 

 

Memo on Census 2027

 

Census 2027 is underway now. While in some places the first phase of house
listing has just begun, in the snow bound areas the second phase with the
option of self-enumeration has commenced.

 

The Census is not merely a statistical exercise. It determines how the State
understands the population and provides the basis for planning, allocation
of resources and, ultimately, political representation. The Census 2027
therefore assumes particular significance, coming after a gap of sixteen
years and at a time when several other exercises affecting citizenship,
electoral rights and political representation are underway.

 

That this exercise is being utilised to serve the narrow political agenda of
the BJP has become abundantly clear with the inclusion of questions that
would normally not have found place in such an exercise as also the
methodology used to collect data. There is no other explanation for
collecting data of both parents, their religion, place of birth etc. 

 

The notified questionnaire for the second phase also raises several other
serious concerns which we would like to highlight.

 

Collection of Personal Information

 

The questionnaire goes well beyond conventional Census information
collection. It seeks Aadhaar, voter ID, passport and mobile-number details,
as well as information on the number of bank accounts and other personal
particulars. It is also strange that information is sought on the
respondents' spouse.

 

Even while at places it is described as voluntary or qualified by "if
available", there is every danger that respondents will be compelled to part
with these details when asked by a government official. It would be
farfetched to expect the enumerator to convey to every household which is
being enumerated that disclosure of such details is voluntary. 

 

There is also the larger concern of data linkage. When caste, religion,
disability, migration, occupation and family information are collected
alongside individual identifiers, the possibility of linking Census
information with other government databases becomes a serious issue.

 

Census and the Linkages

 

These concerns acquire added significance in the context of the ongoing
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. SIR has already shifted
the onus of proof onto citizens with extensive demands of documents and
verification. While the Census is formally distinct from SIR, yet the
simultaneous expansion of personal data collection, electoral-roll
verification and debates around citizenship creates legitimate concerns
about the eventual use and linkage of information.

 

Census and Delimitation 

 

The timing of the Census is also significant because the constitutional
freeze on the allocation of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats between States
operates until the first Census after 2026. The next Census will therefore
provide the population basis for the forthcoming delimitation exercise. This
makes the Census far more than a demographic exercise. It will have
consequences for the future distribution of political representation between
States.

 

The experience of States that have successfully pursued population
stabilisation cannot be ignored. States must not be penalised politically
for having successfully implemented population stabilisation policies. Nor
can delimitation be undertaken without addressing its implications for
federalism and the political balance between States.

 

Caste Enumeration

 

The methodology adopted for enumeration of caste raises serious concerns.
Except for the Scheduled Castes/Tribes who can chose their caste/tribe from
an available list, for others it is to be recorded "as declared by the
respondent". The absence of a comprehensive pre-defined list or structured
mechanism for recording the general caste question, will lead to a multitude
of entries of castes and sub-castes. It will not be possible to get accurate
figures and defeats the very purpose of the exercise.

 

That this is intentional becomes clear by the refusal to collect data in a
structured manner using a scientifically prepared caste classification and
coding system. The design itself is flawed and meant to be so.

 

Undercounting Disability 

 

Whereas the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 recognises 21
specified disabilities, the Census framework reportedly clubs several
disabilities together and leaves some out altogether. In the exercise
underway there are only nine distinct categories. This will not give
accurate data on each specific disability leading to not just undercounting
but also has implications for planning, budgetary allocations, schemes etc. 

 

We therefore demand:

 

1.              An immediate all-party consultation on the Census
methodology;

2.              No personal details like religion of parents, their details,
details of bank accounts, Aadhar and other ID numbers and all other such
information - will be collected;

3.              A scientifically designed and transparent caste
classification and coding system;

4.              Strict safeguards against linking Census data with
electoral, Aadhaar, welfare or citizenship databases;

5.              Protection against the use of Census information for
citizenship determination or electoral exclusion; 

6.              A transparent public discussion on the implications of the
Census for delimitation and federalism; and

7.              Enumeration of all 21 disabilities recognised under the RPwD
Act.

 

 

 

 

(M. A. Baby)

General Secretary

 

 

 

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