2011 :

1991 18,20,468

2001 40,75,246
124%

1991 0.2%
2001 0.4%

(124%) 2011 92
, 54 , 2001

,
,

Other Religions and Persuasions,

1991
1991

Other Religions and Persuasions

, :

2011 63 , 53

,

1981 2001
(1) , ,

(2)

123%

-
10%

India is going to witness one more religion, Sarna as a mainstream religion along with others; Hindu,
Muslim, Sikh, Christan, Boudh and Jain in upcoming Census, 2011 results, under following
assumptions.
1. Census tabulations are done correctly and honestly. There is no chance of data manipulation or
corrupt practices etc.
2. All religions have maintained their previous decadal growth rate, or, maintained average growth
rate of last forty years.

Sarna, a religion of all tribes of Central India has been neglected by Census of India so far by not
mentioning in Census questionnaire. According to Census, 2001, Sarna followers are almost
equal to Jain religion. It is prevalent in twenty one states of India. It is significantly larger than
religions categorized as Others. Further, in the absence of Sarna code in Census questionnaire
2001, large scale misrepresentation was reported. Tribes names such as Sathali, Munda, Oraon,
Ho, Khariya, were reported as names of religions of tribes. Moreover, Tribal Gods/Godes were
treated as religions. Humanity, Manawta, Aadmi were considered as religions of tribes by the
Census Office. Despite these facts and figures, Census office continued to neglect tribal interest
in questionnaire, and did not mentioned Sarna in Census Questionnaire of 2011. In the absence of
tribal religion code in Census, 2011 questionnaire, again there is larger possibility of data miss
representation in forthcoming, Census, 2011 publications. Thus, Census Office of India produces
unreliable data based on biased, non academic and fake questionnaires.

Thank to Right to Information Bill -2005, which is only means for tribals, who are poor and
illiterate, to know about own religions, unlike others.

Table 1: Religious Compositions and Decadal Growth Rates

All Religions
Hindu
Muslim
Christan
Sikhs
Buddist
Jain
Other Religions
and Persuasions*
Sarna
Source: Census

1961

Religious Composition
1971
1981
1991

Decadal Growth Rates

1961-71
1971-81
1981-91 1991-01

2001

100
83.4
10.7
2.4
1.8
0.7
0.5

100
82.7
11.2
2.6
1.9
0.7
0.5

100
82.3
11.8
2.4
1.9
0.7
0.5

100
81.5
12.6
2.3
1.9
0.8
0.4

100
80.5
13.4
2.3
1.9
0.8
0.4

24.8
23.7
30.8
32.6
32.3
17.1
28.5

24.7
24.1
30.7
17.4
26.1
24.8
23.7

23.8
22.7
32.9
17.7
25.5
36.1
4.1

21.5
19.3
29.5
22.5
17
22.8
25.9

0.3
-

0.4
-

0.4
-

0.4
0.2

0.6
0.4

45.7
-

26.6
-

18.2
-

108.1
123.8

Note*: Other Religions and Persuasions include Sarna as well.

Figure 1: Decadal Growth Rates of Religions

40

Decadal Growth Rates

35

30
All Religions

25

Hindu
Muslim

20

Christan
Sikhs

15

Buddist
Jain

10

0
1961-71

1971-81

1981-91

1991-01

Figure 2: Decadal Growth Rates of Other Religions and Persuasions

Other Religions and Persuasions

120
100

Decadal Growth Rates

80
60
Other Religions and Persuasions
40
20
0
1961-71

1971-81

1981-91

1991-01

Figure 3: Decadal Growth Rates of Sarna and Other Religions

Decadal Growth Rates (1991-01)

140
120
100
80
60

Decadal Growth Rates (1991-01)

40
20
0
Hindu Muslim Christan Sikhs Buddist

Jain

Sarna

Table 2: Expected Population with Previous Decadal Growth Rate

Jain
Sarna
Buddist

Population in
2001

Previous decadal growth rate

Population in 2011 with previous

decadal growth rate

4225053
4075246
7955207

25.9
123.8
22.8

5319342
9120401
9768994

Figure 4: Expected Population with Previous Decadal Growth Rate

Population if previous decadal growth rate is maintained
12000000

10000000

8000000

Jain
6000000

Sarna
Buddist

4000000

2000000

0
2001

2011

Table 3: Expected Population of Religions with average growth rate

Religions

Population in
2001

Average Growth Rate during

1961 to 2001

Population in 2011 with average

growth rate

Hindu
Muslim
Christan
Sikhs
Buddist
Jain
Sarna

827578868
138188240
24080016
19215730
7955207
4225053
4075246

22.45
30.97
22.55
25.22
25.22
25.2
53.57

1013370324
180985138
29510060
24061937
9961510
5289766
6258355

Figure 5: Expected Population of Religions with average growth rate

Population with average growth rate

12000000

10000000

8000000
Jain
Sarna

6000000

Buddist
4000000

2000000

0
2001

2011

Note: Average growth rate of Sarna is calculated by adding growth rate of Other Religion and Persuasion
with available growth rate of Sarna. .ie, (45.7+26.6+18.2+123.8)/4 = 53.57 = average growth rate of
Sarna.

Table 4: Sarna in Rural and Urban areas

Sarna

1991

2001

Decadal Growth Rate in %

Total
Rural
Urban

1820468
1701497
118971

4075246
3810036
265210

123.8
123.9
122.9

Table 5: Sarna among Male and Female in Rural and Urban areas
Sarna
Total
Rural
Urban

1991
Male
Female
914028
851554
62474

906440
849943
56497

2001
Male

Female

2047636
1911161
136475

2027610
1898875
128735

Decadal Growth Rate in %

Male
Female
124
124
118

124
123
128

Complied by
Balbhadra Birua
Dehati Publication, HoLand
JNU, New Delhi 67
Date- 21/02/2013
bbirua@gmail.com