Census in India is a massive exercise. It is not easy to conduct a census in a country with a population of 1.2 billion people. The exercise carries on for years and is conducted every ten years. It is not merely a count of the population. The census enumerators have to complete a form with 35 parameters or may be even more. The exercise is of utmost importance for planning and development. The inputs received from this exercise enable planners to formulate plans for future development. There has been a feeling that the census figures especially regarding population in J & K are fudged. It is alleged that the exercise is used to change the demography of the state. One of the main reasons for these allegations is the declining trend of Muslim population in the state over last few decades. This is in contrast to the overall trend in the Muslim population in the rest of the sub-continent. In the past people have either totally boycotted census operation or have been very luke warm towards this operation. However, the chances of fudging are more if the operation is boycotted by the bulk of the population. Enumerators can put in whatever they like when there is no one to contest the data. The data sent to the central office for feeding into computers and for analysis has to be authenticated by the Tehsildar and the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned area. In case of any doubt, the forms can be checked with the data available in the computer.

There are two issues involved. One is the contradiction in the population trend of Muslims in the state in the last few census operations conducted after 1947. The other is the enumeration process in the current census. It is for the first time that people seem to be concerned about this operation and are showing interest in ensuring correct data collection. On questioning some officials connected with the operation it was revealed that population counted and given out has to be the population of entire India at a particular instance in time. It has to be population of the entire country on a given date to be fixed by the census department. Every person irrespective of his permanent residence, place of birth, job location, language etc is counted wherever he is present at that particular moment. These include even tourists staying in hotel, security forces and paramilitary personnel stationed in towns, villages except the ones deployed on the border. Migrants have also to be shown stating when and wherefrom they have migrated. When one sees these pure figures of population, one may get confused and feel these have been fudged. In fact, in the last census it was revealed that in some villages which had 100% Muslim population, some Hindus were also shown. On analysis it was found that these were the Border Security Personnel on duty in that particular village at that instance. However, the only solution is to demand from the census directorate the actual figures of permanent residents of the state holding the state subject along with their mother tongue present at that particular instance of counting. All these figures are enumerated and are available in the computers of the census directorate. The civil society which is concerned about the alleged fudging should demand disclosure of population figures on the basis of language (mother tongue), religion, and permanent heredity state subject. From these figures one can easily judge if the data has been fudged. It is reported that the forms given to enumerators do not have a state subject column. Well, this can be got included. If there is talk for including caste parameter, then why not permanent state subject in case of J & K? If a sufficiently strong demand is placed before the Director General Census, the parameter of state subject may be included in the case of J&K.

As already stated, the question of fudging becomes more pertinent when people at large do not get interested in the process. The first operation is the house listing which has already begun. Every dwelling, institution, structure has to be listed and marked. If people take interest and ensure all the houses are listed, this will give a temporary figure of population. This has to be co-related with actual situation after enumeration of every household and institution. Here comes in the role of the enumerators. These are almost all belonging to concerned areas. Usually teachers and other such staff are used. They are given sufficient training. The most important thing is their dedication and honesty in recording correct data. They can be motivated and persuaded by the civil society to undertake the exercise honestly and in a transparent manner. This can in turn be ensured by the common people if they take sufficient interest in getting data about their households recorded correctly. In the new scheme the form from each household has be signed by a member of the household usually the head of the family. In the past, it has been alleged that the enumerators used to sit together and record whatever they feel like. Some allege that they would sit with the local Patwari and record the data. However, if it is true, this can be changed by the concerned people by reporting the same to the census department and ensuring that the enumerators do visit each household to record the correct data. The role of the local media in bringing awareness to the common people is of utmost importance. With the concern shown by the civil society and the possibility of a raised awareness among the people, the present census exercise would be a very interesting operation to watch! The results too if given out as per the parameters detailed above would be quite revealing.