New Delhi: In a move expected to create a stir, Indias ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could release the religious data of Census 2011, which was kept under wraps by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Why this is crucial is, because the previously unrevealed data, is expected to show a growth in Muslim population.
The Indian Express reports that a senior home ministry official said, The computation of the religious data is under process and it is expected to be released shortly. The governments decision to publicise the data comes amid controversial statements from BJP and Sangh leaders. Earlier, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj had said that the time has come when a Hindu woman must produce four children in order to protect Hindu religion. The BJP had distanced itself from his remarks and served him a show-cause notice. But, soon after, prominent Hindu leader Shankaracharya Vasudevanand Saraswati of Badrikashram insisted that Hindus must produce 10 kids to ensure Narendra Modi becomes Indias Prime Minister again.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Hindu right-wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have been advocating ghar wapsi programmes across the country. Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told parliament during the last session that anti-conversion laws should be brought in the states as well as the Centre,- referring to alleged attempts by Christian and Muslim communities to convert Hindus to other faiths.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Shiv Sena, an NDA ally, promised Rs 21,000 to each Hindu family having 10 or more children to counter the growing influence of other communities.
According to the 2001 census, Hindus numbered 82.7 crore, comprising 80.5 per cent of the total population. Muslims added up to 13.8 crore (13.4 per cent); Christians 2.4 crore; Sikhs 1.9 crore; Buddhists 79 lakh; Jains 42 lakh.
The sensitive religious data from the 2011 Census was deliberately held back by Indias previous UPA regime, even though it released the figures related to socio-economic and other indicators. The BJP had then criticised the government and demanded that it should disclose the entire demographic data.
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