Results for: Demography

Media reports and political rhetoric have misconstrued findings from the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) working paper on religious minorities, leading to sensationalized claims about the growth of the Muslim population in India. These interpretations fuel a divisive narrative that obscures the truth. The paper’s assertion that the growth in the Muslim population indicates a thriving minority community is flawed. Fertility rates are influenced by socio-economic factors, and a high population growth rate highlights shortcomings in human development. The EAC-PM study relies on the RCS-DEM dataset, which provides limited context. A more comprehensive analysis reveals that the absolute increase in the Hindu population between 1950 and 2015 was significantly higher than that of the Muslim population. The marginal decline in the Hindu population’s proportion or increase in the Muslim population’s proportion is not a cause for concern, given the initial population disparity. The EAC-PM study’s focus on the rate of change in shares is misleading, as it fails to account for the initial population proportions. A decline in the rate of change for a small population group, such as Parsis, does not imply persecution.

A report released by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC) has sparked controversy, 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 However, critics argue that the report’s findings are based on outdated data and overlook key demographic trends. The issue of Muslim population growth has become a focal point, with some raising concerns about the ‘population jihad’ and the potential threat to the Hindu majority. However, demographers dismiss these fears, citing declining fertility rates and educational improvements among Muslims. The report’s use of population growth as an indicator of well-being is also questioned, as higher fertility rates are often associated with illiteracy and economic backwardness. Experts emphasize that the status of religious minorities should be assessed based on their access to education, social welfare, and representation in power structures. While India boasts 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.