Kerala Government Confirms No Implementation of NPR Amid Census Plans

The Kerala government has reaffirmed its position that the National Population Register (NPR) will not be implemented in the state as part of the upcoming national census. In a recent order issued on February 7, 2024, officials in Thiruvananthapuram clarified that the NPR will remain suspended under any circumstances.

This announcement builds on a directive from December 20, 2019, which halted all procedures related to the NPR in Kerala. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has consistently maintained this stance, positioning itself against the NPR in light of concerns surrounding data privacy and citizenship verification processes.

As preparations for the national census resume following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been speculation regarding the potential inclusion of the NPR. Responding to these concerns, the Kerala government has reiterated that activities related to updating the NPR will not take place during the census, emphasizing a firm commitment to its established policy.

Kerala’s Legislative Actions Against NPR and CAA

Kerala has a history of opposing the NPR and related initiatives. It was the first state assembly in India to pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Furthermore, the Kerala government has taken legal action, filing a suit in the Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the CAA. This new directive maintains the consistent policy stance against the NPR and aligns with the state’s broader opposition to the CAA.

On the national stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the census and the NPR as “normal administrative activities.” During a debate in the Rajya Sabha, he criticized opposition parties for allegedly obstructing the census process, attributing their actions to “vote bank politics” and the dissemination of misinformation.

The Prime Minister’s comments came as members of several opposition parties staged a walkout before the House adopted the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address. He accused these parties, including the Congress, of opportunism and emphasized the need for transparency regarding the government’s actions.

As the debate around the NPR and its implications continues, the Kerala government’s decisive stance highlights ongoing tensions between state and national policies regarding population registration and citizenship verification.