Hindu Editorial Snapshot – 06 June – 2025
Injustice in the delay: On the next Census
India’s decadal population census, delayed initially due to COVID-19 and now possibly due to political reasons, is expected to conclude by March 2027. The absence of the 2021 Census has hampered governance, especially in delivering social security schemes that depend on updated demographic data. The upcoming Census, for the first time, will be digitally administered, promising faster and more accessible data but raising concerns over privacy and data security. Transparency and public trust will be critical.India faces demographic challenges with varying regional growth patterns and an ageing and youthful population. Notably, caste enumeration will be included for the first time since 1931, offering better planning insights but risking increased social division. Another major implication is its connection to the next delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies, which must be based on post-2026 Census data. Currently, representation is based on the 1971 population, and states with lower population growth, especially in the south, fear losing parliamentary seats. As the Census progresses, there is a need for the Centre to build consensus on delimitation to avoid perceptions of political manipulation in favour of Hindi-speaking states.
Trampled over: On the RCB cup celebration and Bengaluru stampede
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first-ever IPL title win on June 3, 2025, led to mass celebrations across Karnataka. However, within 24 hours, tragedy struck as a stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during a felicitation event left 11 dead and over 50 injured. The chaos was fueled by miscommunication, contradictory entry rules, overcrowding, and poor crowd control. Fans, desperate to see the players, surged toward the packed venue, resulting in asphyxiation-related deaths and injuries.Despite the anticipation of huge crowds, authorities failed to implement adequate safety measures. The absence of a promised open-bus parade and unclear entry policies worsened the crisis. Security arrangements by the KSCA and police were insufficient. The State Government and cricket authorities offered condolences, but some engaged in blame-shifting. The Chief Minister suspended officials and ordered a judicial inquiry. The incident highlights the consistent neglect of fan safety in sports events and underscores the urgent need for clear communication, proper planning, and effective policing to prevent similar disasters.
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