Are you worried that the upcoming Census in India will spark another wave of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)?
The news is that the new Census is indeed set to ask questions that were at the centre of the anti-CAA protests in 2019. The question is, will this lead to another round of intense protests and controversy?
For those who may not recall, the Citizenship Amendment Act was passed in December 2019, amidst widespread protests across the country. The Act aimed to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring countries – Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, the Act was seen as discriminatory by many, particularly the Muslim community, who felt it was an attempt to marginalize them.
The protests against the CAA were led by a wide range of groups, including students, women, and civil society organizations. The protests were marked by large-scale demonstrations, marches, and even violent clashes between protesters and the police. The protests eventually died down as the government refused to repeal the Act.
The Census Question that Sparked Protests
The Census question that is set to reignite the controversy is related to religion. The question asks respondents to indicate their religion and also to mention if they are a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or ‘Others’. The ‘Others’ category is where the controversy arises. Many people feel that this category is an attempt to identify Muslims in particular, as they may not identify themselves as Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, or Jains.
The Census question was first raised by the Indian government in 2019, amidst the CAA protests. However, it was dropped due to widespread criticism. Now, it appears that the question is back on the table, and many are worried that it will lead to another round of protests.
The Census is an important exercise that is conducted every decade to collect data on the population of India. The data collected is used for various purposes, including planning for development, allocation of resources, and even deciding the number of seats each state will get in the Lok Sabha.
What’s Behind the Controversy?
So, what’s behind the controversy surrounding the Census question? Many feel that the government is attempting to create a database of Muslims in particular. This, they argue, will be used to target Muslims in the future, as has been done in the past. The government, however, has consistently denied these allegations, saying that the Census is a neutral exercise aimed at collecting data on the population.
Another reason for the controversy is the fact that the Census question is being asked in a time when the country is already reeling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are struggling to make ends meet, and the last thing they want to do is get involved in a controversy surrounding the Census. However, the protests and demonstrations that followed the announcement of the Census question have already started to gain momentum.
The question is, will the government eventually succumb to pressure and drop the Census question? Or will they push ahead with the question, despite the opposition? Only time will tell. However, one thing is certain – the controversy surrounding the Census question has the potential to ignite a fire that will spread across the country.
What’s Next?
The Census is set to begin in the next few months, and the government is gearing up for the exercise. However, the controversy surrounding the Census question has already started to impact the preparations. Many are worried that the protests and demonstrations will escalate in the coming weeks and months, leading to a situation that is difficult to control.
The government, on the other hand, is confident that the Census will go off smoothly without any hiccups. However, many experts are warning that the controversy surrounding the Census question has the potential to undermine the exercise and create a situation that is difficult to manage.
As the country prepares for the Census, one thing is certain – the controversy surrounding the Census question will be a major talking point in the coming weeks and months. The question is, will the government eventually drop the question, or will they push ahead with the exercise, despite the opposition?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the Census question has the potential to reignite a fire that will spread across the country, leading to a situation that is difficult to control.
So, stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.