The NDA government on Tuesday released the data on population by religious communities from Census 2011, which showed that the proportion of Muslims to the total population is growing marginally faster than that of other religions.

Critics questioned the timing of the release of the data just weeks ahead of polls in Bihar, where Muslims can influence the outcome in about 50 of the 243 assembly constituencies. 

According to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India the data on Population by Religious Communities of Census 2011 is as follows.

Population in 2011 is 121.09 crore:

Hindu 79.8%
Muslim 14.2%
Christian 2.3%
Sikh 1.7%
Buddhist 0.7%
Jain 0.4%

On Tuesday, the 2011 data were released by sex and residence up to sub-districts and towns.
 
Of the total population in 2011, the number of Hindus was 96.63 crores (79.8%); Muslims 17.22 crores (14.2%); Christians 2.78 crores (2.3%); Sikhs 2.08 crores (1.7%); Buddhists 0.84 crores (0.7%); Jains 0.45 crores (0.4%), Other Religions and Persuasions (ORP) 0.79 crores (0.7%) and Religion Not Stated category 0.29 crores (0.2%). The growth rate of the total population during 2001-2011 was 17.7%.


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