Save your citizenship through Census 2011

Save your citizenship through Census 2011
Appeals Federation of Minorities’ NGOs


Mumbai: 15 March: Census 2011 has already begun from 1st April 2010 nationwide. This census is different from ones in the past and very exclusive in style.

While addressed a press conference, today, at Marathi Patrakar Sang (Mumbai Press Club), the leaders of the Federation of Minorities NGOs (FMN) – Maul. Mahmood Daryabadi, Dr. Azimuddin, Maul. Burhanuddin Qasmi, Mr. Salim Alware, Dr. SK Abdullah and Mr. Iqbal Memom, have urged all NGO activists, especially those from Muslims NGOs to fully volunteer their skill and time to the on going census 2011 in India.

The leaders have requested all members of the community to note the followings and take part in the census process. They said, an enrolment in the census enables an individual to be 'the citizens' of the country. The census 2011 will help decide numbers of BPL people in 2013. Moreover, this census is collecting Photos of above 15 age-group along with Biometric Identity and the databank collected by the census will be used by the Unified Identity Authority of India (UIDAI). If any once fails to get into the data-Bank he will be out of UIDAI which is an indirect proof of 'Citizenship' for every individual. Furthermore, all the future 'Planning' and Budget allocations against particular, community or caste will be based on this databank

The FMN is launching a statewide awareness campaign in Maharashtra from today itself through its 100 plus member NGOs to educate common people to ensure their complete and correct entries during the census, the leaders said in the press conference. Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi said that the census authority of India should train its enumerators through effective workshops to minimize common mistakes like wrong spellings of Muslim names and filling in wrong religion, language or caste etc.

The Federation of Muslims NGOs believes that for effective planning precise information about religious, social and economic conditions is essential. Our nation can effectively plan political, educational, social and economic development on the basis of correct information. Therefore, social activists must ensure detail entries of the data correctly.

Every educated Indian must cooperate in this massive task so that we may know ourselves correctly. Precise data is more important for minorities and marginalized sections. Caste based census was done last time in 1931. That is why there is a growing need for it now to reassure all statistics. If we update caste figures greater justice can be provided for marginalised people.

Every citizen should be alert about information which is being recorded. He/she must check and verify the forms which are being filled by enumerators. No room should be given to dishonest manipulators who are doing a disservice to nation and truth by incorrect data entry. The Maharashtra Federation of Minorities NGOs requests all not for profit activists, through this press conference to offer their services during 1st May to 15th June for 2011 census in Maharashtra.

-----END-----

------------------------------------
M. Burhanuddin Qasmi
Director
Markazul Ma'arif Education & Research Centre
Patliputra Nagar (Masjid)
Oshiwara, New Link Road
Jogeshwari (W), Mumbai 400102 (India)
Web site: www.markazulmaarif.org
Email. manager@markazulmaarif.org
Tel: 022 65567157 Fax: 022 26798538