The High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) has requested 15 years of religion-wise data from state governments, covering a variety of parameters such as birth registrations, vehicle registrations, school enrolments, property transactions, and voter registrations. The committee has also asked for district-wise details of religious structures and unusual increases in registrations of Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards.
However, several state governments have reported challenges in providing this information, as most government departments do not typically maintain records categorized by religion. Officials noted that existing databases usually record demographic and civic data without classifying individuals or transactions by religion, making retrospective compilation difficult.
Additionally, the panel has sought intelligence assessments and commission reports on religious conversions among Scheduled Tribe communities, details of operational detention centres, and other related information. These extensive requests have posed difficulties for states in compiling and responding to data not traditionally collected in this format.
