Janajatis warn of census boycott | CBS to ask open-ended question on religion

Janajatis warn of census boycott

  

Added At:  2011-01-14 11:47 PM

   Last Updated At: 2011-01-14 11:47 PM

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HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: At a time when the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is making preparations for national census 2011, indigenous peoples’ representatives have warned of boycotting it, accusing that the survey is being conducted against the provision of the Interim Constitution.

CBS is set to begin the polls in two phases—first phase beginning from May 15 to June 1 and the second from June 17 to 27 nationwide.

According to them, CBS did not consult them before concluding the work that includes preparing questionnaires and selecting census collectors, among others. They have demanded recruitment of census collectors from the indigenous communities commensurate with their population.

“We raised our concerns mainly for recruiting at least 38 per cent (proportionate with their population) as census collectors and correcting the mistakes regarding questions related to language, religion, ethnicity and caste of the indigenous nationalities,” said Ang Kaji Sherpa, General Secretary of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), an umbrella organisation of indigenous nationalities.

Addressing a programme

organised by Inclusive Media Foundation on identity

politics and national census 2011, he said CBS had remained silent on the issue, but added that there was still time for

correction.

“If our concern is ignored again, we will call for boycott of the census,” added the general secretary.

“Although the government is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation Convention 169, it has ignored provisions relating to prior informed consent regarding census preparations and involvement in the decision making process” said Khagendra Makhim, another representative of Indigenous Nationalities, adding “If CBS continues the census with these flaws, indigenous peoples will not take part.”

Refuting the accusations, Director General of CBS, Uttam Narayan Malla, said CBS is planning to reduce the mistakes.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/rssReference.php?headline=Can+TIA+handle+Tourism+Year+traffic%3F&NewsID=273284

	CBS to ask open-ended question on religion
	OM ASTHA RAI KATHMANDU, Jan 16: For the first time in the 110 years long history of population census in the country, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has decided to ask open-ended question on religion in a bid get a clear picture of the size of religious groups in the country. “We have decided to end the practice of asking a close-ended question to collect statistics on religion from this year,” said Bikash Bishta, Deputy Director General (DDG) of the CBS.  “Various indigenous communities had expressed deep concerns over the practice of asking close-ended question.” An open-ended question will enable the respondents clearly specify the religious group they belong to. Earlier, the respondents either had to choose from any of the religious groups listed in the questionnaire or “other groups” if their religious group was not listed. “The major drawback of the close-ended question was minority groups had to choose the “other groups” option in the questionnaire,” Bishta said. “Now, everyone will be able to specify the religion they practice.” In the past, the practice of a close-ended question had prompted various ethnic groups to accuse the government of manipulating religion-related statistics. They argued that even non-Hindus were misled into identifying themselves as Hindus. “In the past censuses, when non-Hindu people did not see their own religion listed in the questionnaire, they unmindfully identified themselves as Hindus,” said Aang Kaji Sherpa, General Secretary of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN). However, the NEFIN does not seem to be free misgivings. “The enumerators could erase and manipulate the answers given by the respondents later,” Sherpa told Republica. “So, we want the CBS to ask a close-ended question with every existing religious group listed in the questionnaire.” One supervisor for four enumerators  In response to the complaints that some enumerators have not reached every household to collect data, the CBS has increased the number of supervisors. “These complaints are not absolutely unfounded,” Bishta said. “So, in the new census, one supervisor will be overseeing every four enumerators. And they, unlike in the past censuses, will have less chances to cheat on us.” In the 2001 census, the CBS had mobilized one supervisor per five enumerators. Bishta said district level mechanisms set up for supervising the census will also be empowered by conducting more training programs. “We will do our part. But, people should also be aware. They should inform monitoring mechanisms if the enumerators do not turn up at their door-steps,” Bishta told Republica.
Published on 2011-01-16 03:30:49 http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=27210

Preparation for census goes on

POST REPORT

KATHMANDU, DEC 07 -
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is going to prepare mock questionnaires in 10 regional languages during Population and Housing Census 2011.

The questionnaires are being put in order for the convenience of respondents who do not understand Nepali. For this, the enumerators are readying a set of standard questionnaire.

According to CBS Director General Uttam Narayan Malla, the standard questionnaire is going to be translated in top 10 languages in use in the country as stated in Population and Housing Census 2001. They include Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Gurung, Newari/Nepal Bhasa, Magar, Awadhi, Rai and Limbu.

“The mock questionnaires are being prepared so that the respondents get clear ideas about the information they have to provide to the enumerators,” said Malla.

http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/12/07/metro/preparation-for-census-goes-on/215746/

Nepal: Indigenous Peoples’ Concerns In Nepal’s 2011 Census

After a decade, Nepal is due to hold its census for the eleventh time in 2011. The history of census in Nepal goes back a hundred years to 1901. National census can facilitate planning of projects targeted towards specific groups if it records actual figures and conditions of those groups. The past censuses of Nepal are often termed to be “deliberate undercounting of [indigenous] communities…” and erroneous with omissions and misreported data , thus providing false picture of population composition. This has particularly concerned the indigenous nationalities of Nepal struggling for their identity and rights. Currently, Nepal has 59 ethnic groups identified as indigenous nationalities and many other groups are striving to be listed. The country has recently been transformed from a Hindu kingdom to a secular federal republic. The 2011 census – the first one since the country became a republic – thus holds a specific importance.

Past census questionnaires included questions made with precedence for Hindu religion and caste groups thereof, thus factual information was never recorded. During the partyless Panchayat system, census questionnaires provided Hinduism as the first option for the choice of religion – the same format is still continued in the forthcoming 2011 national census’ draft questionnaire – followed by second option being ‘others’ with no numbering for other religions. Nepal also has a considerable population that does not follow any particular religion (animists or nature worshippers), but the questionnaire does not provide an option of ‘no religion’ for such population. The choice of ‘no religion’ should also be included to record the number of Nepalese without any religious belief. The fact can be unacceptable for those who have obtained their ‘elite’ title on the basis of religion since ages. The statistics in this census may well again become merely another cover-up data.

National census used to be just a matter of state concern but now it has become an important issue of general concern. There have been many changes in Nepal during the period since last census. Nepalese have experienced changes in political, social and cultural aspects. In an inclusive federal democratic republic system, all ethnic and caste groups should get to live with sovereignty with their rights protected and identity guaranteed. In some cases, it has been found that the so-called dalits have hidden their real identity to prevent caste-based hatred and discrimination. This bigotry should be brought to an end.

Wrong census figures collected in regards to mother tongue/native languages, religions, and caste/ethnicity is not only particular to Nepal. This prevents the knowledge of which language, ethnic or religious groups have been marginalized. In lack of correct figures, the particular community is eventually denied from state-sponsored opportunities and privileges. How many native languages are there in Nepal currently? And which districts do they belong to? These questions are still unanswered. In multilingual Nepal, actual figures regarding native languages should be revealed as that indicates one’s ethnic identity. If an individual cannot speak his/her native language but states that it is his/her native language, then it should be identified accordingly. There are many native languages that are spoken by various indigenous groups but not listed in past censuses. For instance, Donei language is spoken in three districts of Nepal but it has not been listed. Similarly, Aathpahariya language is spoken in twice as many districts but the state does not have any record of speakers of that language.

Some figures revealed in past censuses seem to be imaginary data. In 2001 census, from among 103 ethnic/caste groups, the data shows only one Raute in Sankhuwasabha district, one Musahar in Solukhumbu district, three Badi people in Okhaldhunga district and forty four Chepangs in Sunsari district. Were the ethnic groups there in those districts in 2001? The Danuwar ethnic group that numbers five hundred thousands has been shown to number only 50,000. Figures should not be falsified in this manner. Criticisms abound regarding non-recognition of native languages and loss of identification. More than 35 languages are not listed in past national censuses. A state bears moral responsibility for the protection of its national languages, more particularly in regards to endangered ones – that number around 35 in Nepal. Thus, census should record actual details of languages. For this, it is necessary to ensure proportional participation of indigenous nationalities and other minority/oppressed groups while appointing officials to the Central Bureau of Statistics and the census team should be accompanied with local language expert as a facilitator. Only then correct data about linguistic and ethnic identity can be recorded.

The forthcoming national census should record complete and actual data of indigenous nationalities. The calls for including disaggregated data for indigenous peoples and indigenous women in the forthcoming National Census 2011 are not new. The state needs to be cautioned about the malpractices in past censuses that prevented the documentation of accurate figures. The 2011 national census has taken a form of a pilot survey while the country is in transition to a federal structure. Thus, its importance should be broadened. Rather than protesting and amending the results after its completion, the census should be an issue of public discussion right now so that the historically discriminated indigenous nationalities and other groups should not be further denied their opportunities and privileges. Nepal has ratified the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169) of the International Labour Organization in 2007; however, the state is now faltering for its implementation of the convention. A monitoring committee has been set up by the indigenous nationalities for the implementation of the convention. This committee should play interventional role for the benefits of all indigenous groups. Informed indigenous nationalities youths should get involved locally to aware respondents for their responses to census teams. The youths should play effective representational and participatory role to clear out the differences between the claims of indigenous nationalities to represent half of the population while the official figures only show 37%.

Edited and translated from Mina Shrestha’s article published on the Kantipur national daily by Prabindra Shakya. Mina Shrestha is the Central Member of the Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationals (YUFIN). Prabindra Shakya is student of Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies (MAINS) 2010 at Sungkonghoe University, Seoul

1. “Racial Discrimination toward the Indigenous Peoples in Nepal”, Non-Government Report for the Third World Conference against Racism (WCAR) – 2001 presented at the National Conference of the NPC in Kathmandu on April 26, 2001. http://members.fortunecity.com/dharantimes/ethnic5.htm (Accessed 16 Oct 2010).
2. “Report on Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Nepal (IPHR)” prepared by NGO Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN) with financial and reporting guidelines of Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP). http://cosfonad.blogspot.com/2009/06/report-on-indigenous-peoples-human.html (Accessed 16 Oct 2010).
3. Indigenous Peoples are called Indigenous Nationalities in Nepal as the Nepali state previously identified them only as nationalities according recognition of their difference, until formal recognition only in 1999. Nationalities always asserted themselves as Indigenous Peoples and those with distinct cultural identities, languages, traditional religions, customs and cultures, traditional territories, and those who do not fall under the traditional four-fold Hindu varna classification.
4. See Personal Details section, question no. 9 of the draft questionnaire, National Census 2011, Central Board of Statistics, Nepal.
5. See Annex 2 of Submission of Durban Review Conference (DRC) Follow-up Committee Nepal, Contribution under the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council. http://www.inseconline.org/pics/1278389925.pdf (Accessed 22 Oct 2010).

Figures taken from National Federation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) http://www.nfdin.gov.np/ and Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) http://www.nefin.org.np/

Tags: Nepal census government demography

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