Political Row Over Census 2027 Questions as Pinarayi Vijayan Opposes Center's Move

Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, has accused the Union Government of using Census 2027 to advance the NPR and NRC agenda, demanding the removal of controversial questions.

A fresh political controversy has erupted over the upcoming Census 2027 in India. Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, has leveled serious accusations against the Union Government, alleging that it is attempting to advance the National Population Register (NPR) agenda under the guise of the census exercise. In a statement shared on Wednesday, Vijayan warned that incorporating questions regarding the birthplace of parents and religious affiliation into the census questionnaire is a deeply sensitive move. He argued that gathering such details could lay the groundwork for a citizenship verification process designed to create social divisions.

Concerns Raised Over NPR and NRC Linkage
The former Chief Minister cited a 2018-19 report by the Ministry of Home Affairs to support his claims. He asserted that official records demonstrate how data collected through the NPR exercise could eventually be utilized to formulate the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Vijayan emphasized that the NPR process acts as the initial stepping stone toward implementing an NRC across the country. He noted that while the decennial census and the NPR are distinct operations, the central government is deliberately trying to merge their scopes.

Call for Secular Unity Against Divisive Policies
Highlighting the intent behind asking for parents' origin and religious identity, Vijayan stated that any framework attempting to link citizenship with religion is unacceptable. He demanded that the central government immediately remove these controversial questions from the census format, describing them as suspicious inquiries intended to target a specific community. Furthermore, Vijayan urged all secular sections of society to form a united front against these measures to protect the secular structure of the nation.

Questions Raised Over UDF Government and Congress Stance
Expanding his criticism, Pinarayi Vijayan also targeted the UDF government in Kerala for its complete silence on the issue despite widespread public anxiety. He questioned why the state administration has failed to take a firm stance against the proposed census parameters. Additionally, Vijayan alleged that the track record of the Congress party regarding the NPR mechanism remains questionable, claiming that political opposition must be uncompromising when fundamental secular principles are at stake.

What this means for you
• Across India: Citizens may face questions regarding their parents' birthplace and religion during Census 2027, potentially affecting how demographic data is collected nationwide.
• In Kerala: Increased political debate and administrative discourse may arise regarding the implementation of census and population registry measures.

Questions & Answers

1. What allegations did Pinarayi Vijayan make regarding Census 2027?
Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the Union Government is using Census 2027 to silently advance the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) agendas.

2. Which specific census questions have sparked controversy?
The debate centers on questions seeking details about the birthplace of parents and religious affiliation.

3. Which report did Vijayan cite to support his claims?
He cited the Ministry of Home Affairs 2018-19 report, asserting it shows NPR data can be utilized to prepare the NRC.

4. What did Vijayan say about the UDF government and Congress?
He criticized the UDF government in Kerala for its silence on the issue and questioned the Congress party's past stance on NPR.

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