The Indian States Where Hinduism Is Not The Religion Of The Majority

Indian States/UT’s With Islam As The Religion Of The Majority

Jammu and Kashmir

The north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has a largely mountainous terrain featuring the Himalayas and other mountain ranges. The state also has an extensive border with Pakistan which is known as the Line of Control. The state also shares a border with China to the east. Jammu and Kashmir is heavily subjected to territorial conflicts between India, Pakistan, and China. However, the state is endowed with great natural beauty and cultural splendor that attracts tourists to the state. Kashmiris, Gujjars, Ladakhis, Paharis, and Dogras are the major ethnic groups residing in this state. Jammu and Kashmir recorded a population of 12,541,302 in 2011. It is the only Indian state to have a Muslim-majority population. 68.3% of the population of the state practice Islam. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians constitute 28.4%, 1.9%, 0.9%, and 0.3% of the state’s population. Both Shia and Sunni Muslims reside in Jammu and Kashmir with the former accounting for 14% of the state population and mostly residing in the Badgam district. 

Lakshadweep 

Although most are aware of the fact that Jammu and Kashmir has a large population of Muslims, the fact that Lakshadweep, an Indian Union Territory, also has a majority Muslim population, is not well-known. Lakshadweep is an archipelago in the Laccadive Sea off the southwestern coast of mainland India. Lakshadweep recorded a population of 64,429 in 2011. The ethnicity of this people is similar to the Malayali people of Kerala in mainland India. Over 93% of the indigenous population of Lakshadweep practice Islam. More specifically, the majority of the archipelago’s Muslims adhere to the Shafi School of the Sunni Sect. According to historical accounts, Muslim missionaries who arrived here around the 7th century popularised Islam among the residents of Lakshadweep. Today, Muslim festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm by the inhabitants of the islands.

Indian States/UT’s With Sikhism As The Religion Of The Majority

Punjab

Punjab is a northern Indian state and the only state in the country to have a Sikh majority population. The population of the state was 27,704,236 in 2011. Punjabis are the dominant ethnic group living in the state and Punjabi Sikhs account for 57.7% of the state population. The state’s Sikh population makes up over 75% of the national Sikh population. Hinduism is the next most popular religion with 38.5% of the population adhering to it. Out of the 22 districts in Punjab, Sikhs form a majority in 18 of these districts while Hindus are a majority in the remaining four districts. Although Muslims account for only 1.93% of Punjab’s population, one city, Malerkotla has a Muslim majority population. Due to the popularity of Sikhism in Punjab, Sikh festivals, traditions, and rituals are observed here. Important Sikh pilgrimage sites like the Golden Temple which houses the highest religious body of the Sikhs is present here. Sikhism originated in the greater Punjab region (of which Punjab is a part) in the 15th century.

Indian States/UT’s With Christianity As The Religion Of The Majority

Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya

These three states in northeastern India have Christianity as the religion of the majority. Nagaland has a population of 1.978 million and 88% of the population practice Christianity. In Mizoram, with a population of 1,091,014 individuals, 87.16% of the population profess Christianity. 74.59% of the population of Meghalaya are Christians. The state has a population of 3,212,000 people. 

The other States Where Hinduism Is Not The Religion Of The Majority

Arunachal Pradesh

In Arunachal Pradesh that recorded a population of about 1.4 million in 2011, the Hindus comprise only 29.04% of the population while Christians account for 30.26% of the population. Traditional religions, mainly Donyi-Polo, are followed by 26.2% of the population. Buddhists account for 11.76%, Muslims for 1.9%, and Sikhs and Jains account for an even smaller percentage of the state population.

Manipur

This Northeast Indian state hosts a population of 2,855,794 individuals. Here, Hinduism and Christianity have nearly an equal number of followers. While the Hindus account for 41.39% of the population, Christians make up 41.29% of the population. The religions practiced here include Islam, Sanamahism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc.