Be alert for Census 2011: Muslim group

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: With the aim to create awareness among Muslims about the Census 2011 and to teach them how to ensure their complete and correct entries in the census register, Maharashtra-based Federation of Minorities NGOs (FMN) has launched a state-wide campaign.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Mumbai, the leaders of FMN has appealed to minority communities especially Muslims to seriously take the Census 2011 which has already begun from 1st April 2010 nationwide because this census is different from ones in the past and very exclusive in style. They also requested Muslim NGOs to offer their services for providing guidance to the community regarding the ongoing census.

The data to be collected through the census will be used by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). If any one fails to get into the databank he will be out of UIDAI which is an indirect proof of citizenship for every individual. Such person may be suspected in the eye of police forces.

On the basis of this census everyone will get an identity card which will be used for all official work such as opening of bank account, taking loans, getting scholarship etc.

Moreover, all the government welfare schemes are made on the basis of census therefore Muslims who are most backward should be alert so that correct information about them is filled in the register. The process of census will be completed within two sessions. In first session, families, buildings and houses will be counted while in second session information regarding people will be registered.

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Mr. Vilayat Ali, social activist from Patna, said: "The census 2011 is important for everyone. For Muslims it becomes more significant as it will help to address their social, economic and educational backwardness because no policy will bear any fruits unless it is made on the basis of correct data."

He said that though the process of census officially has been started, there is no significant movement on the ground.

On how awareness should be created among Muslims regarding census, Ali said: "Everyone should work for this purpose by using their resources. Urdu newspapers should publish articles and news to make people aware of the importance of the census, social activists should work at street level to educate Muslims about it and imam of mosques should use their Juma speeches to urge Muslims to take part in the census process.
He also said that Muslims should be alert for the census and complain in case the process of census is not completed in their areas.

"It happened with Muslims in the past that their whole mohallah was left out of the process of census, and at times wrong information or incorrect spelling of Muslims' name was registered. So, Muslims should get all the information filled correctly especially the number of members and name of religion as well as mother language" he added.

--
SDPI ജനകേരള യാത്ര
എപ്രില്‍ 2-24 (കാസര്‍കോഡ് -തിരുവനന്തപുരം)

http://www.mtponline.in/
http://www.youtube.com/user/mtprafeek