High-Level Demographic Committee Seeks Religion-Based Data: Opposition Fires Back as States Face Hurdles

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-29 13:28:00

A major political storm has erupted over a directive issued by the central High-Level Committee on Demographic Change (HLCDC), which has requested comprehensive 15-year historical data from states and union territories categorized by religion. The extensive questionnaire—covering birth registrations, voter IDs, land ownership, school enrollments, and religious structures—has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, with senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleging that the committee's agenda is pre-determined and politically biased. Meanwhile, several state governments have flagged administrative hurdles in compiling religion-specific data that many departments historically do not maintain.

What Data Has the Committee Requested From States?

Constituted by the Union Home Ministry on May 26, 2026, and chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, the HLCDC aims to study demographic shifts caused by illegal immigration and abnormal population trends. The committee's detailed list of questions sent to states includes:

Socioeconomic and Institutional Records: 15-year historical data spanning birth registrations, school enrollments, ration cards, vehicle registrations, and voter ID updates, alongside metrics on children's school enrollment versus historical birth rates.

Religious Structures and Land Tracking: Information on the location and count of temples, mosques, churches, and other religious buildings, GIS mapping usage, land purchases, unusual land accumulation, and ownership changes in specific districts.

Tribal Areas and Conversions: Shifts in the religious composition of Scheduled Tribe (ST) populations, government intelligence or commission reports on religious conversions, and demographic changes in Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas, border districts, and industrial hubs.

Undocumented Migrants and Identification: Details regarding the identification, detention, and deportation of undocumented migrants, fake identity documents, and cases linked to unauthorized settlements, human trafficking, or organized crime.

Opposition Backlash: Jairam Ramesh Alleges Bias

The data collection drive has triggered immediate political sparring reminiscent of past policy debates:

Jairam Ramesh's Allegations: Taking to social media, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the committee's framework, alleging that its conclusions may have been drafted in advance and arguing that the data parameters reflect a targeted political narrative.

Comparisons to the Sachar Committee: The opposition has drawn parallels to the 2005 Sachar Committee formed under the UPA government to examine the socioeconomic status of the Muslim community—noting historical BJP criticisms of religion-based data gathering at that time.

Administrative Challenges: State government officials have pointed out practical difficulties in answering the committee's comprehensive queries, noting that numerous regional departments lack segregated record-keeping systems based on religion.

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