Srinagar,Oct 1st : The CPI(M) has renewed its opposition to the constitution of the High Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC), alleging that questions being raised by the panel during its ongoing exercise have reinforced the party’s earlier apprehensions about its objectives.
According to media reports from states where the committee is conducting its exercise, the HLCDC questionnaire seeks religion-wise data and information on a range of issues, including school enrolment, conversion among Scheduled Tribes (STs), changes in land ownership, voter enrolment and the issuance of Aadhaar cards.
The CPI(M) has alleged that the nature of the questions indicates a predetermined focus on issues concerning religious minorities. The party has linked the exercise to what it describes as the “RSS/BJP’s” agenda of raising questions around demographic changes and minorities.
The party has also raised concerns over the committee’s activities in the context of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Census and the proposed delimitation exercise.
The CPI(M) said the HLCDC had also sought information regarding the religion of voters whose names had been deleted from electoral rolls. It argued that the combined impact of the SIR, Census, delimitation and the demographic committee could have significant implications for citizenship, political representation, democracy, federal relations and social harmony.
The party further questioned the timing of the HLCDC exercise, noting that it is being conducted while the Census process is underway. According to the CPI(M), demographic trends should ordinarily be assessed on the basis of Census data, with changes in population patterns established through the official Census process.
The allegations and concerns raised by the CPI(M) come amid wider political debate over the collection and use of demographic, electoral and identity-related data. The government’s stated position and the committee’s mandate would be necessary to independently assess the objectives and methodology of the exercise.
