UPA sat on it, NDA plans to release ‘religious data’ of Census 2011

The data, collected during the last Census, is expected to show a growth in Muslim population. While the previous UPA government released the figures related to socio-economic and other indicators, it held back the “religious data”. The BJP had then criticised the government and demanded that it should disclose the entire demographic data.

The government’s 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 showcause notice.

The RSS and the 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.”

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, comprisising 80.5 per cent of the total population. The 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.