Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that the growth of the Muslim population in India is primarily due to large-scale infiltration from neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Bangladesh, rather than a higher fertility rate. Speaking at the Narendra Mohan Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, Shah emphasized that demographic changes in the country are a result of infiltration, not fertility rates.
Shah cited census data to support his claim, highlighting that the Hindu population in India has decreased from 84% in 1951 to 79% in 2011, while the Muslim population has increased from 9.8% to 14.2% during the same period. He attributed this shift to large-scale infiltration from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The Home Minister also drew a distinction between refugees and infiltrators, stating that those who flee persecution deserve protection, whereas those who enter the country illegally should be identified, deleted from voter lists, and deported. Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to detecting and deporting infiltrators, emphasizing that voting rights should be reserved for citizens.
Shah’s remarks have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of promoting divisive rhetoric and stigmatizing Muslim communities. Demographers have also pointed out that demographic changes are complex phenomena influenced by various factors, including fertility rates, migration, and urbanization.
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