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Updated July 17th 2024, 18:28 IST
As per 2011 Census, Assam Recorded The Highest Rise In Muslim Population
The most rapid rise in the share of Muslims in the total population was witnessed in Assam, as per 2011 Census Data published in 2015.
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New Delhi: Expressing concern over the rise of the Muslim population in the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the matter has become a “matter of life and death” for him. Notably, a report published by the Centre in 2015 stated that Assam recorded the highest surge in the Muslim population.
"Changing demography is a big issue for me. In Assam, Muslim population has reached 40% today. In 1951, it was 12%. We have lost many districts. This is not a political issue for me. It is a matter of life and death for me", Himanta told reporters in Ranchi.
As per a 2011 Census, Assam recorded the highest jump in Muslim population
According to the 2011 Census data compiled on the population of religious groups, which was later released by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner in 2015, Assam recorded the highest increase in the share of Muslims, from 30.9% of the state's population to 34.2%.
Key Findings of 2011 Census Data
- Nationally, the percentage of Muslims in the total population went up from 13.4% in 2001 to 14.2% in 2011.
- Assam recorded the highest increase in the share of Muslims, from 30.9% of the state's population to 34.2%.
- Manipur was the only state to show a fall in Muslim population.
- The percentage of Muslims in total population went up from 13.4% in 2001 to 14.2% in 2011.
- The most rapid rise in the share of Muslims in the total population was witnessed in Assam.
How Muslim Population Rose Between 2001-2011 (Pew Research Data)
As per a study done by the Pew Research Center, a rise in the Muslim population was observed in Assam, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, and multiple other states.
(Note: The figures are in percentage points)
According to Pew Study, the Muslim population also had its largest increase in Uttar Pradesh, increasing by 8 million (80 lakh) to 38 million, or 3.8 crore, followed by West Bengal, up by 4 million (40 lakh) to 25 million, or 2.5 crore. The total number of Muslims did not discernably decrease in any state during this decade.
Indian States where Muslim population is Significant
(Data As per Census 2011)
Hindu population has decreased since 1950: PM-EAC
According to an analysis by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PM-EAC), the percentage of Hindus in India has decreased by 7.82% between 1950 and 2015, while the percentages of Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs have increased.
The share of Muslim population rose from 9.84% to 14.095% and Christian population rose from 2.24% to 2.36%. Sikh population increased from 1.24% to 1.85% and the share of the Buddhist population rose from 0.05%to 0.81%.
Total Fertility Rate (TFR), for Hindus, declined from 3.3 in 1991 to 2.1 in 2015, and further to 1.9 in 2024. For Muslims, it declined from 4.4 in 1991 to 2.6 in 2015, and further to 2.4 in 2024.
Majority Population decreased across the world
PM-EAC had done a cross-country comparative analysis of the religious minorities population in almost 38 OECD countries. 30 of these countries experienced a significant decrease in the proportion of Roman Catholics, the predominant religious group.
Moments after his remarks made national headlines, Himanta, in an exclusive interview with Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, revealed how several districts in Assam have changed from being Hindu-dominated to a Muslim majority and why this was a 'matter of life and death for him'. The Assam CM also explained how migrants from Bangladesh and neighbouring countries were actually driving the sharp rise in population, thereby putting a stress on resources.
Published July 17th 2024, 18:28 IST