2011 census : Christian population rises to 74.59 per cent in Meghalaya
SHILLONG: There has been a slight increase in the Muslim population in the State even as the Christian population rose from 70.25 per cent in 2001, to 74.59 per cent in 2011.
This was revealed during a Census Data Dissemination Workshop held in the city on Thursday.
As per the primary Census data, the Muslim population in the State has gone up by 0.12 per cent. While the 2001 primary Census put the Muslim population in the State at 4.28 per cent with the percentage being 4.67 in rural areas and 2.68 in urban areas of the State, the latest Census shows that the population has gone up to 4.40 per cent with 4.85 per cent residing in rural areas and 2.58 per cent residing in urban areas. As per the data, the population was highest in West Garo Hills District where 16.60 per cent was Muslim. The Muslim population rose from 99,169 in 2001 to 1, 30,399 during 2011, registering the marginal rise.
Meanwhile, the Christian population stood at 74.59 per cent with 76.64 per cent of rural and 66.44 per cent of urban Meghalaya being Christian. As per the 2001 primary Census data, the figures stood at 72.10 per cent (rural) 62.67 per cent (urban).
Among the districts which have the highest Christian population are West Khasi Hills with 95.68 per cent followed by South Garo Hills with 93.43 per cent and East Garo Hills with 91.13 pc. Meanwhile, the primary Census data shows that the Hindu population in the State went down from 13.27 per cent in 2001, to 11.53 per cent in 2011. While 8 per cent of rural population was Hindu, in the urban areas, the population of the nation’s majority community was 25.50 per cent.
In comparison, the figure in 2001 primary Census was 9.73 per cent (rural) and 27.82 per cent (urban).
The three districts with a high Hindu population are West Garo Hills (19.11 per cent), East Khasi Hills (17.55 per cent) and Ri-Bhoi (11.96 per cent).
“The Hindu population residing in Meghalaya has dwindled by more than one per cent,” Census Operations Assistant Director, B Dasgupta said while giving his representation during the Data Dissemination Workshop Census of India here on Thursday.
The Assistant Director Census Operations said that as per the data the Sikh population in the State has gone down from 0.13 per cent in 2001 to 0.10 per cent in 2011.
Meanwhile, the Buddhist population has seen a slight increase from 0.20 per cent in 2001 to 0.33 per cent in 2011. The Jain population on the other hand has gone down from 0.03 per cent in 2001 to 0.02 per cent in 2011.
Population of people from other religions and persuasions has seen a sharp decline of 2.82 percent from 11.53 per cent in 2001 to 8.71 per cent in 2011.
Giving a break-up of the religion Census data in the different districts of the State as per the primary Census of 2011, Dasgupta said that West Garo Hills had 19.11 per cent Hindus, 16.60 per cent Muslims, 60.20 per cent Christians, 0.03 percent Sikhs, 0.53 per cent Buddhists, 0.02 per cent Jains, 2.63 per cent from other religions and persuasions.
East Garo Hills had 5.43 per cent Hindus, 1.06 per cent Muslims, 91.13 per cent Christians, 0.02 per cent Sikhs, 0.32 per cent Buddhists, 0.01 per cent Jains and 1.77 per cent from other religions and persuasions.
South Garo Hills had 4.94 per cent Hindus, 0.74 per cent Muslims, 93.43 per cent Christians, 0.02 per cent Sikhs, 0.23 per cent Buddhists, 0.01 per cent Jains and 0.25 per cent from other religions and persuasions.
Jaiñtia Hills had 3.15 per cent Hindus, 0.42 per cent Muslims, 68.74 per cent Christians, 0.01 per cent Sikhs, 0.07 per cent Buddhists, 0.01 per cent Jains and 27.22 per cent from other religions and persuasions.
East Khasi Hills had 17.55 per cent Hindus, 1.72 per cent Muslims, 65.79 per cent Christians, 0.30 per cent Sikhs, 0.38 per cent Buddhists, 0.04 per cent Jains and 14 per cent from other religions and persuasions.
Ri-Bhoi had 11.96 per cent Hindus, 0.71 per cent Muslims, 84.42 per cent Christians, 0.06 per cent Sikhs, 0.17 per cent Buddhists, 0.02 per cent Jains and 2.44 per cent from other religions and persuasions.
West Khasi Hills had 1.69 per cent Hindus, 0.40 per cent Muslims, 95.68 per cent Christians, 0.02 per cent Sikhs, 0.37 per cent Buddhists, 0.01 per cent Jains and 1.53 per cent from other religions and persuasions.