It will be 10 years since the last census in March 2011 when the next census will be held.This census offers Jains two opportunities:
1. To get a formal recognition as Jains
2. Temporary Job opportunities
It is UK Government’s policy that if a religion has more than 10,000 followers in the country, that religion will be formally recognised as a minority religion. Once this recognition has been given, needs for the followers of that religion will be officially recognised and listed as requirements at hospitals, schools, workplace and even the prisons, in fact anywhere where religion is involved.
There are over 35,000 Jains in the UK but somehow they are shy to identify themselves as Jains. Census figures showed the lain population as just over 7,000. This is really embarrassing. This time round, the Jains have to pull together and make sure all their friends, family members and acquaintances complete the census form and identify themselves as Jains.
The question will be the form of ticking a box like the one shown below:
Do not tick any of the boxes except the bottom one marked “Any other religion, write in ” and then write in the small boxes JAIN.
Because we did not do this during the last census, we lost out on being recognised as a minority religion. This time we have to make sure we cross the specified number – 10,000 which is not really that large when we consider our population size.
The second opportunity is for temporary jobs which will become available through the local councils. There are over 30,000 temporary jobs on offer through out the country – most jobs will start from December 2010 onwards. Full details of the census can be obtained at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/census/index.html
and details of the job opportunities at:
The Institute did send out a large number of circulars prior to the last census to create an awareness but that campaign was not very successful. This time, the Institute will work through the various Jain organisations in the country to get their members to first complete the census form and secondly to fill in correct details on our religion.