The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC) recently released a report claiming that religious minorities in India are safe and face no discrimination. However, critics argue that the report’s findings are based on outdated data and overlook key demographic trends, particularly the significant growth in the Muslim population.
Some leaders have presented the Muslim population growth as proof of a ‘population jihad,’ alleging that India is in danger of becoming an Islamic state. However, demographers dismiss these fears, citing declining fertility rates among Muslims and educational improvements within the community.
The report’s use of population growth as an indicator of well-being is also flawed, as higher fertility rates are often associated with illiteracy and economic backwardness. Experts argue that the status of religious minorities should be assessed based on their access to education, social welfare, and representation in power structures.
While India has a large Muslim population, their fertility rates are declining and are projected to stabilize in the future. Therefore, fears of Hindus becoming a minority are unfounded.
In fact, some studies predict that India’s replacement level fertility rate, or the rate at which each generation replaces itself, may decline to 1.75 in the next three years. This indicates a potential stabilization of the population growth rate, including among the Muslim community.
The report also fails to highlight the educational and economic backwardness among Muslims, which contributes to higher fertility rates. To truly address the issue of population growth, India must focus on improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for all its citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Coercive population control measures, such as the proposed Population Regulation Bill or the Population (Control) Bill, are not only ineffective but also violate international human rights norms. India’s National Population Policy, 2000, rightly emphasizes the importance of voluntary and informed consent in family planning.
Ultimately, the issue of population growth and religious minorities should be approached with a balanced and evidence-based perspective. Inflammatory rhetoric and fear-mongering serve no purpose in addressing the complex demographic challenges facing India today.
