ASIA/INDIA - A Jesuit: the Census on religions denies the "fear of conversions"

Ahmedabad (Agenzia Fides) - "Since the government of Narendra Modi has been at the helm of the country (May 2014), the 'fear of conversions' has been raised, which in particular Christians and Muslims seem to be promoting among the Hindu population. This is why Christians have been subject to targeted attacks by Hindu extremist groups. The fact that today, according to the new Census, Christians make up only 2.3% of the country's population is an important indicator to show that the fear is completely false": is the analysis delivered to Fides by gesuit Fr. Cedric Prakash, SJ, director of "Prashant" (Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace) in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, in the aftermath of the Census on religion issued by the Indian government (see Fides 26/08/2015).
"The data on the Census of religions issued by the Indian government – highlights the Jesuit - are in stark contrast to those of the previous census in 2001.
Today the media have shown that the Hindu population is, for the first time ever, below 80% in India, while Muslims are 14%. However, if one notices the growth rate during the decade, that of Muslims is declining". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/09/2015)