MUMBAI: India’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, has said that the Muslim population in India could reach a level comparable to Indonesia after the upcoming national Census, according to Beyond Time News.
His remarks have drawn attention from political observers, who argue that such projections are speculative since the official Census data has not yet been released.
Census Delay and Population Growth
Rijiju told reporters in Mumbai that India’s last Census was conducted in 2011, and the next nationwide exercise was delayed beyond 2021. As a result, he said population figures would naturally have increased over time.
He added that final conclusions would only be clear once the Census results are published.
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Focus on Minority Communities
During his comments, Rijiju also referred to India’s Parsi community, noting that their population currently stands between 52,000 and 55,000. He said government efforts are underway to support and preserve the community’s numbers.
He further acknowledged concerns raised by some groups who believe that Muslims and Christians in India face social and political pressure.
Ongoing Political Debate
The statement has intensified debate in political and civil circles. Critics argue that minority communities in India already face fear and uncertainty, while supporters of the government claim such concerns are politically motivated.
Observers say the issue reflects wider tensions around identity, demographics, and minority rights in India, which are expected to remain key topics ahead of the next Census.
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