The fastest growing community in the country is also the least developed on most counts.The first ever census data on religion, which was released today, shows that the growth rate of the Muslim population was the highest — at 36 per cent — during the period 1991-2001. The community growth rate in the previous decade had been 34.5 per cent.The growth rate of the Hindu population declined to 20.3 per cent during 1991-2001 from 25.1 per cent during 1981-91.In absolute numbers, Hindus constituted 82.8 crore of the country’s total population of 102.8 crore (80.5 per cent) while Muslims formed the next largest chunk with 13.8 crore (13.4 per cent).The percentage of population in the age group of 0-6 years was maximum among Muslims at 18.7 per cent. According to Census Commissioner and Registrar General of India J K Banthia, this figure was taken as an indirect proxy for the fertility rate, implying that the Muslim population continued to grow at a fast pace.He said that the areas bordering Nepal, parts of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Jharkhand showed high fertility levels for the community.But development indicators among Muslims had not grown at the same rate as their population. In fact, they lagged behind all other communities when it came to literacy rate— especially the female literacy rate — and work participation rate.General literacy rate among Muslims was 59 per cent, below the national average of 64.8 per cent. Among Hindus, it was marginally better than than the national average, standing at 65.1 per cent. The Jains had the best literacy rate: 94.1 per cent. Though not tabulated, Banthia said that the small and ‘‘definitely declining’’ Parsi community surpassed all others in literacy with over 97.5 per cent rate.Even the female literacy rate among Muslims was the lowest at 50 per cent, with the national average being 53.7 per cent. The female literacy rate even among Hindus was below the national average at 53.2 per cent. The Jains recorded the highest rate at 90.6 per cent. But work participation of women among Jains was among the lowest at 32.9 per cent, marginally better than the Muslims at 31.3 per cent.The Christians displayed the most balanced sex ratio at 1009. In all other communities, the sex ratio was much lower — the least being among Sikhs at 893 followed by Hindus at 931. Muslims had a marginally better ratio at 936 and Jains at 940.What the Registrar General of India found most disturbing was the sex ratio among the 0-6 age group among Sikhs and Jains. In case of Sikhs, it stood at an all time low of 786 and among Jains at 870.‘‘This has to be rectified. It shows a girl child bias. Northern Indian states like Punjab and Haryana are the irritants in this regard,’’ he said. This bias, he added, was not seen much in Muslims where the 0-6 sex ratio was 950.Demographer Prof Ashish Bose welcomed the first ever report on religion, saying that it was time these matters were not considered ‘‘sensitive’’ and talked about openly. But he cautioned against political exploitation of the report. Terming the data as tricky and difficult, he said, it needed to be interpreted carefully.‘‘The Muslim population has increased very fast. It is mainly because practice of family planning is very low and low levels of literacy. Don’t jump to conclusions that it is because of infiltration or illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Though it may be due to immigration to some extent,’’ he said.Bose expressed concern at the dwindling population of Parsis in the country. According to the census, their population was just over 69,600 in the country — 34,000 males and 35,600 females.‘‘It is a real problem. Either Parsis are not getting married or not having children. And if they marry outside the community, they are not considered Parsis any longer. They are a wonderful civilisation and should not be allowed to die out,’’ he said.
