BUKHARI APPEALS TO OPT "MUSLIM" IN RELIGION COLUMN OF CENSUS

Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam Jama Masjid Delhi, has appealed to the Muslims of India to opt ‘Muslim’ in the column of religion when he/she fills up the census form. The census is to commence from February 9, 2011. The Muslims should not be confused that their religion is Islam and there is no option for Islam in the religion column printed in the form. It is a ‘deliberate mistake of biased officials’ to give the option of ‘Muslim’ instead of ‘Islam’ in the religion column. But this mistake cannot be corrected at this stage when all preparations for census have been completed. Therefore, it is necessary that every Muslim opts code number 2 (Muslim) in column number 7 (religion) at the time of registration of census form. The right information about actual number of Muslims could not be achieved because of this mistake in the previous census. He also urged to opt Urdu as mother tongue in column number 10 of the census form.