India's religion-based population census data has indicated 24% rise in Muslim population between 2001 and 2011, which is 5% less than the previous decade. The total rise has been recorded at 0.8%.
According to the census data, which is yet to be released, the Muslim population grew 29% in the last decade – 1991 to 2001. Though the percentage is lower, the national average growth of the Muslim population is higher this decade at 18%.
In the last 10 years, total population of Muslims in India has increased from 13.4% to 14.2%, of which Assam has witnessed the most rapid rise in its Muslim population, according to The Times of India report. From 30.9% in 2001, Assam has seen a rise in Muslim population at 34.2% in 2011.
The state that stood second with a high rise of Muslim community population is West Bengal, where the total population has increased from 25.2% in 2001 to 27% in 2011. There is a persisting problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh in both Assam and West Bengal.
Other states that have seen a rise in Muslim population includes Uttarakhand (from 11.9% to 13.9%), Kerala (24.7% to 26.6%), Goa (6.8% to 8.4%), Jammu & Kashmir (67% to 68.3%), Haryana (5.8% to 7%) and Delhi (11.7% to 12.9%).
The only state that saw a decline in Muslim population, according to the census data, was Manipur, where the population has dropped by 0.4%.
The census data of religious population, prepared in March 2014, will be released soon, said Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who approved its release last week.
