With elections concluded in 15 states and 260 seats pending in 4 more phases, political strategies around religious population imbalances are intensifying. A report titled 'Share of Religious Minorities' claims a 7.82% decline in the Hindu majority's share and a 43.15% increase in the Muslim population over 65 years, from 1950 to 2015. The Christian and Sikh populations have grown by 5.38% and 6.58%, respectively.
Before making any decision based on these figures, it's imperative to understand the nuances. According to the report, in 1950, Hindus constituted 84.68 of a hypothetical population of 100, and Muslims 9.48. By 2015, Hindus made up 78.06, while Muslims increased to 14.09, thus affirming the decrease in Hindu population proportion and an increase in Muslims, sparking strategic political debates on this decreasing trend.
How the Report Was Compiled
The study was prepared after examining populations across 167 countries, revealing increased diversity. The report takes a positively-viewed shift towards greater diversity; however, it raises concerns within India regarding the reducing Hindu population and the increasing Muslim ratio, placing BJP and Congress in the spotlight for alleged appeasement politics.
BJP Targets Congress
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya accused the Congress of leading the country towards a situation where Hindus might not have a nation. BJP leader Giriraj Singh suggests that Congress intends to transform India into an Islamic state, while Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma observes a shift in settlement patterns due to the growing Muslim population.
Arguments from Both Sides
One side argues that the Muslim population's growth rate is high, leading to more Muslim citizens in some areas than Hindus, a concern attributed to Congress's policies allowing infiltration and appeasement. Others question the relevance of outdated data when the 2021 census isn't complete, suggesting the report's timing could be for electoral polarization and voter confusion along religious lines.
Political Gains and Losses from the Report
What will be the political profits and losses from the report? As voter enthusiasm wasn’t visible in the first three phases of voting, could this report stir the majority population's sentiment? The narrative that suggests a divided Hindu population risks national unity has reemerged amidst elections, directly targeting Congress. BJP has consistently placed Congress in the dock, accusing it of pandering Muslim League ideology, advocating for Muslim reservations, and now pointing at the increasing proportion of the Muslim population in contrast to the Hindu population.
