In an interview with on Thursday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for what he called “lying” about India’s population changes. Owaisi said Shah’s claims that infiltration is the main cause of population shifts are misleading.
Owaisi argued that the Muslim population in India rose by 4.4 percent between the first census in 1951 and the 2011 census. He called for the government to stop what he saw as “infiltration,” saying that the Central government must act to prevent it.
Shah, in a speech last Friday, asserted that the difference in growth rates between religions seen in the 1951, 1971, 1991 and 2011 censuses is largely due to infiltration. He said Muslims grew by 24.6 percent during that period, while Hindus fell by 4.5 percent. Shah explained that migration across the borders that formed Pakistan and later Bangladesh has altered India’s demographic makeup.
The agents of both states—Pakistan and Bangladesh—have reportedly moved people across the border, Shah said, calling this the “root” cause of the population shift in rural areas of northern India. He added that a lack of awareness about infiltration, demographic change and democratic values threatens India’s culture and independence.
In his interview, Owaisi denied that Muslim fertility rates were higher. He pointed to government data showing a drop in the Muslim total fertility rate as the biggest reason the Muslim population grew the most. He also warned that labeling every Bengali‑speaking Indian Muslim as a “Bangladeshi” is wrong.
The changing numbers in India’s censuses illustrate this debate. In 1951, Hindus made up 84 percent of the population and Muslims 9.8 percent. By 1971, Hindus were 82 percent and Muslims 11 percent. The 1991 census showed Hindus at 81 percent and Muslims 12.12 percent, while 2011 recorded Hindus at about 89 percent and Muslims at 14.2 percent.
The disagreement over whether population growth is a natural trend or the result of infiltration continues to dominate political discussions. For voters who care about India’s future, questions about demographic shifts highlight the role of accurate data, responsible governance and the need for transparency around migration.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as political leaders and analysts look deeper into census data, migration patterns and the implications for India’s social fabric.
Source: aninews
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
