The proportion of Hindu population in the country declined marginally to 79.8% at the end of 2011, according to Census data released recently, from 80.5% at the end of 2001.

The percentage of Muslim population, on the other hand, increased to 14.2% from 13.4% at the end of 2001, according to Census data.

In absolute numbers, there were 966 million Hindus and 172 million Muslims in the country.

Source: IIPSIndia; Census

FactChecker had earlier reported how the right-wing Hindu organisation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad was organizing Ghar Vapsi (returning home) programmes and triggered a debate on conversions and re-conversions.

Shiv Sena, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party and part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, has been very vocal about the issue, as FactChecker reported earlier.

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