Census Delay Sparks Debate Over South India's Political Representation

The Congress party raises concerns about whether the delayed census will influence the allocation of Lok Sabha seats. They emphasize that South Indian states, pioneers in family planning, should not face reduced political representation due to their demographic success. This discussion follows constitutional amendments concerning such adjustments.

In a recent statement, the Congress party has questioned the implications of the delayed census on the distribution of Lok Sabha seats. They argue that the South Indian states, known for their successes in family planning, should not suffer a decrease in parliamentary representation.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, highlighted that states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka were leaders in achieving replacement fertility levels. South India's progress in this area should not lead to political penalties, according to Ramesh.

Amendments made to the Constitution in 2001, tying seat allocations to post-2026 census data, further complicate the issue. As the decadal census schedule faces delays, questions loom about its eventual impact on political representation, particularly for successful states.

(With inputs from agencies.)