India’s Muslim population is likely to be almost the same as Indonesia’s after the census, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday.
“The Muslim population in the country is likely to be almost at par with the population of Indonesia. Once the census (data) is finalized, this will be the likely outcome,” Union Minister for Minority Affairs told reporters after a program here.
He said that since the last census was conducted in 2011 and it was not possible to conduct the decennial census in 2021, the population had increased.
“Whatever the number (of the community), they are all Indians,” Rijiju added.
Highlighting concerns about the decline in the Parsi population, he stated that their numbers ranged between 52,000 to 55,000 in the country.
He added that Parsis are the smallest minority community in India and that the government is working to protect them and ensure that their numbers do not shrink further.
Rijiju also denied allegations that minorities are under threat in the country, alleging that some political organizations are trying to create fear between Muslims and Christians.
The BJP leader said that all citizens are equal before the Constitution and no one is treated differently on the basis of religion or caste.
The minister said that the BJP’s formation of government in West Bengal was also a victory for the country as it is a very sensitive state that shares borders with Bangladesh from where many illegal immigrants enter. He added that the BJP’s election victory in the state was a crucial development for national security.
Rijiju said the party had long raised concerns about illegal immigration and the new state government would help address the issue effectively.
He claimed that the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government had not implemented certain central schemes, citing the National e-Vidhan implementation as an example, and added that the Union government would now ensure their implementation.
