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Politics
Manipur Pushes for 1951 Baseline in National Register of Citizens, Sparking Debate
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 09 Sep 2026, 04:19 PM
👁 28
Manipur officials are demanding that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be anchored to the 1951 census, a move that has stirred controversy over data accuracy and political implications.
The state of Manipur has formally requested that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be based on the 1951 census data, marking a significant shift from the 2011 census used in the 2019 NRC exercise.
The proposal aims to align the register with the original demographic snapshot of the region, ensuring consistency in the criteria used to determine citizenship status.
Critics argue that the 1951 baseline is outdated, potentially overlooking recent migration and demographic changes, and could lead to wrongful exclusion of legitimate residents.
The request has been forwarded to the central government, prompting discussions in Parliament and raising questions about the balance between administrative accuracy and inclusivity.
The proposal aims to align the register with the original demographic snapshot of the region, ensuring consistency in the criteria used to determine citizenship status.
Critics argue that the 1951 baseline is outdated, potentially overlooking recent migration and demographic changes, and could lead to wrongful exclusion of legitimate residents.
The request has been forwarded to the central government, prompting discussions in Parliament and raising questions about the balance between administrative accuracy and inclusivity.