CONGRESS WARNS OF ‘MANIPULATED CENSUS’, ACCUSES CENTRE OF TILTING RULES IN FAVOUR OF BJP-RSS

October 18, 2026

NEW DELHI: The Congress has launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government over amendments to census rules, alleging that the changes could compromise the credibility of the forthcoming population enumeration and potentially facilitate political manipulation.

The opposition party drew parallels with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, expressing apprehension that the census could similarly be distorted. Congress leaders accused the Centre of altering the regulatory framework in ways they believe could undermine transparency and public confidence in the exercise.

The controversy centres on concerns over the amended rules and their possible implications for the conduct of the census. The Congress alleged that the changes could serve the political interests of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), though these remain political allegations rather than established findings of wrongdoing.

The latest criticism adds to the ongoing confrontation between the ruling establishment and the opposition over electoral integrity, administrative transparency and the impartiality of major national exercises.

The controversy is expected to intensify demands for clear safeguards and accountability in the census process, with the Congress questioning whether the amended framework adequately protects the reliability of the data to be collected.