History’s biggest census: Why India’s new population count is controversial | Politics News

India's largest census, delayed by five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is underway. The census will include caste enumeration for the first time in nearly a century, raising concerns about its potential use in the government's National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The data collected will be used to assess demographic trends, inform policy decisions, and determine electoral boundaries. However, critics argue that the census could be misused for political purposes, particularly targeting Muslims who are already facing discrimination under the CAA and NRC. The government has pledged transparency but faces concerns about data credibility due to past methodological changes and a lack of public access to information.