Concerns Raised Over 2027 Census Questionnaire by Former Bureaucrats

A group of ex-bureaucrats has voiced strong concerns regarding the personal information being collected in the upcoming 2027 Census. In a statement released on Wednesday, they called for the Union government to provide a clear justification for the inclusion of sensitive questions in the census questionnaire. The Constitutional Conduct Group, which comprises former high-ranking officials, emphasized that personal details should not be gathered simply for the sake of collection.

The new census format contains 12 queries that were not previously included in the last census. Among these questions are requests for the names of respondents’ parents and spouses, their permanent addresses, nationalities, sites of Covid-19 vaccinations, the number of bank accounts held, mobile phone information, as well as details related to Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, and driving license. Such extensive data gathering has left many questioning the necessity and relevance of these inquiries in terms of generating useful population statistics or informing public policy.

The retired bureaucrats expressed their concern in an open letter, stating, “Much of this information appears to have little relevance for generating population statistics or informing public policy.” They specifically highlighted that some of the newly introduced questions could potentially aid in the preparation or updating of the National Population Register (NPR). The NPR is intended to compile a list of usual residents in India, while the National Register of Citizens (NRC) aims to create a definitive list of Indian citizens and identify undocumented immigrants.

Critics have raised alarms that this collection of data could lead to misuse, particularly in relation to the controversial NRC, which has sparked significant debate across India. The fears are rooted in the belief that such data could lead to discrimination against specific communities based on religion and birthplace, thereby complicating the citizenship verification process.

The former bureaucrats’ letter has fueled ongoing discussions about data privacy and the ethical considerations surrounding the census. As the government prepares for the 2027 enumeration exercise, stakeholders are calling for a more transparent and accountable approach to data collection, ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected and that their personal information is not subject to unnecessary scrutiny.

Source: scroll.in