The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Census follies

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Census follies

Sir, — This refers to the editorial "Census follies" (Sept. 13). This is not the first time that the data on the relative population of different religious communities have been published. They have been published regularly since the first Census held in 1871.

But it is the first time since Independence that the Census organisation has tabulated the data on religious composition against socio-cultural factors such as literacy, age distribution, work status, etc. This provides an opportunity to understand the causes of the changing proportion of religious communities in the country. The Census organisation should be congratulated for performing this task so well.

J.K. Bajaj,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The row over the Census findings is unwarranted. Of course, the authorities should have been more careful and double-checked facts before releasing such massive data. But there is no need to be outraged over the `goof-up' either. And as such there need not be any attempt to mollify any section.

K. Jiji Panicker,
Kollam, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — In the light of the Census findings, tThe Government should address the profound differences between the south and the north in implementing family planning and literacy programmes.

Murali Sundaram,
Chennai

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion