Manipur High Court Halts Census Amid NRC Update Demands
Census Exercise on Hold
Civil society members outside of Manipur High Court on Monday (Photo: AT)
Imphal, Aug 31: The Manipur High Court has temporarily suspended the census-related activities that were set to commence on September 1, following persistent requests from civil society organizations to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) prior to this exercise.
This announcement was made by Shanta, a spokesperson for a coalition of 14 civil society organizations (CSOs) and a petitioner in one of the related cases, after a hearing by a Special Division Bench of the High Court on Monday.
According to Shanta, the court has instructed that the census process, including the house-listing phase scheduled to start on Tuesday, be paused until further notice from the Registrar General of India (RGI).
On August 28, the High Court had established a Special Division Bench to address PIL No. 14 of 2026 - The Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) and Another vs Union of India and 4 Others - along with WP(C) No. 623 of 2026 - Shanta Singh Nahakpam vs Union of India and 5 Others, along with related miscellaneous matters.
This judicial intervention comes amid ongoing efforts by the 14 CSOs advocating for an NRC update before the Census. Their campaign has involved legal actions, public mobilization, and political discussions.
Shanta emphasized that the campaign should not depend solely on public protests, advocating for a unified strategy that includes legal and political avenues.
“It is crucial for people to recognize the various strategies employed by the CSOs and community leaders, particularly those aimed at addressing the issue through institutional and legal means,” he stated.
In defense of the organizations' recent outreach in New Delhi, Shanta noted that their delegation had engaged with political leaders from various parties, as well as retired IAS and IPS officers, lawyers, and former politicians with relevant expertise.
“This outreach should be seen as a collaborative effort involving diverse stakeholders and political perspectives,” he added.
Shanta also called for broader consultations on the matter, highlighting that Manipur is home to multiple communities and stakeholders. “We are not just the Meitei community residing in Manipur; there are various stakeholders involved,” he remarked.
He urged the central government to convene all stakeholders to discuss ways to protect the interests and identities of Indian citizens in Manipur.
The recent development coincides with ongoing protests regarding the NRC demand, including a 24-hour strike organized by the Joint Democratic Front (JDF) ahead of the Assembly session scheduled for September 2.
A detailed order from the High Court is anticipated, which will clarify the specific implications of the directive, including the duration of the census-related suspension.