MUMBAI (Kashmir English): India’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, has said that the Muslim population in India is likely to be nearly the same as that of Indonesia after the next Census.
Political observers have termed the statement as threatening, questioning how he could predict the figure without the Census outcome.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Rijiju told reporters in Mumbai that as the last Census was conducted in 2011 and the decennial exercise could not be held in 2021, the population would have grown.
“Once the Census data is out, it will be the likely outcome,” he said.
Highlighting concerns over the declining Parsi population, he said the community’s numbers stand at around 52,000 to 55,000 and the government is working to ensure their numbers do not shrink further.
Rijiju admitted that some political organisations are trying to create fear among Muslims and Christians that they are under threat in India.
Threats to Muslims and Christians in India
However, observers note the fear is not baseless, as several BJP leaders have repeatedly made calls for eliminating Muslims and Christians from India.
Past statements by party legislators include demands to “drive them out” and threats of “bulldozer justice,” reinforcing concerns of state-backed intimidation against minorities.
