The Hindu : National : Census data reinterpreted under pressure, says Togadia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 11, 2004

National

National

Census data reinterpreted under pressure, says Togadia

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 10. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad general secretary, Pravin Togadia, alleged today that the "continued higher growth rate of Muslims" compared to Hindus and those professing other religions "posed a threat." If this trend continued, he said, "it would alter the majority status of Hindus by the year 2111 and reduce them to a minority."

Mr. Togadia said the reinterpretation of the census data — saying that the growth rate of Muslim population had declined — had been made "under pressure" from the Muslim League and the "mullahs." Figures have been twisted to mislead the public... we will take the matter to the courts," he said. "I do not want [a] Muslim majority in India; that is my historical right,'' he said at a press conference.

The VHP, he said, had demanded steps to implement a uniform civil code, a "policy to control the Muslim population growth, and effective measures to stop "infiltration" from Bangladesh and "send all Bangladeshi Muslims back to their country." It has no problems with Hindu Bangladeshis crossing the border into India.

Mr. Togadia said that persons having more than two children should be debarred from holding an elected post, from the panchayats to Parliament, and at a later stage the two-child norm should be enforced for all government servants.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National