Congress attacks demography panel over religion-wise data queries

The Congress on Tuesday attacked the Modi government over the queries raised by the Home Ministry-led High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes, which has reportedly sought religion-wise data for the past 15 years on a range of indicators.

According to the information cited by the party, the panel has asked for religion-wise figures on births, vehicle registrations, school enrolment and property transactions. It has also sought district-wise details of religious structures and any unusual increases in Aadhaar, voter ID and ration card registrations.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, shared the details on X and said the committee had a "patently diabolical agenda" and had clearly articulated pre-conceived biases. "Its report has already been prepared no doubt," he added.

The committee's queries extend to intelligence assessments and commission reports on religious conversions among Scheduled Tribe communities, as well as details of operational detention centres.

State governments were reportedly unable to answer most of the queries, as government departments do not ordinarily maintain much of the information sought on a religion-wise basis.