Demography panel’s questionnaire an extension of Sangh Parivar’s divisive agenda: Pinarayi

The Head of the Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, has criticized a recent questionnaire issued by the High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) for extending the divisive agenda of the Sangh Parivar. The HLCDC, appointed by the Union government, asked states to provide religion-wise data on various social statistics such as birth registrations, school enrolments, and property transactions.

Mr. Vijayan, in a social media post, urged the Keralam government not to give in to such pressures exerted by the central government. He alleged that the UDF government, which represents his party, has not made any statement against the panel's questionnaire. Mr. Vijayan stated that the HLCDC panel's creation is a deliberate attempt to further the communal interests of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a key component of the Sangh Parivar.

He further alleged that the panel was formed to create a narrative about 'unnatural demographic changes' in border states and metropolitan cities, with the intention of dividing the people, alienating minorities, and undermining the secular fabric of the nation. Mr. Vijayan called for secular-minded individuals to resist such attempts to undermine national unity and the secular character of the nation.