The visualisation shows the largest religion in every district across the country, revealing that Hinduism is the majority faith in nearly every part of India, while pockets of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others form distinct majorities in certain regions.

According to the 2011 Census, Hindus make up roughly 79.8% of India’s population, Muslims about 14.2%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, and Jains 0.4%. Most districts reflect this Hindu majority, but the map shows exceptions.

In Jammu & Kashmir and Lakshadweep, Muslims form the largest group. Large parts of the Northeast—including Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya—have Christian majorities, while Punjab remains predominantly Sikh.

There are also small Buddhist-majority pockets in Ladakh and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. These regional differences are reminders that India’s national identity is rooted in religious diversity as much as in shared culture.

Yet, the picture is not static. Research shows that between 1950 and 2015, the Hindu share of India’s population dropped by about 7.8 percentage points, while the Muslim share rose from 9.8% to 14.1%. Some districts have seen noticeable shifts between the 2001 and 2011 censuses, driven by migration, fertility rates, and conversion patterns.

This evolving demography has major social and political implications. The majority of faiths often shape local governance , voting patterns, and cultural priorities. At the same time, minority-majority districts are increasingly in the national spotlight, especially amid concerns over rising religious tensions.

A 2023 report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom highlighted growing incidents of violence and discrimination targeting Muslims and Christians in India. These developments show that while census data maps the distribution of faith, it cannot capture the full lived experience of religious communities.

Globally, India’s trends fit into a broader pattern. Islam remains the fastest-growing major religion worldwide, and Pew Research projects that India will continue to see a gradual rise in its Muslim population in the coming decades.

Meanwhile, within India, some communities—such as Lingayats in Karnataka—are pressing for separate recognition in future censuses, which could further shift how religious identity is measured.

The Supreme Court will deliver its opinion on Friday regarding questions raised by the Cabinet on the interpretation and application of amendment provisions in Fiji’s 2013 Constitution . These questions include whether the amendment and transitional provisions of the 2013 Constitution are binding and if they can ever be altered. The high court will also rule on questions raised by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka about the process for constitutional amendments, including whether a referendum and special majority are required.

Ex-Fiji PM, police chief to testify in court

Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and ex-Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are set to take the stand as defence witnesses tomorrow at the Suva High Court. Bainimarama faces one count of making unwarranted demands, while Qiliho faces two counts of abuse of office. Prosecutors allege both men influenced disciplinary actions against police officers. Defence lawyers said they will not file a no-case-to-answer application.

India to open defence wing in Suva 

India will establish a defence wing at its High Commission in Suva as part of efforts to strengthen defence and security cooperation with Fiji. The initiative, announced during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to New Delhi, includes the appointment of a defence attaché, maritime security support, training, equipment, and the creation of a cybersecurity training cell in Fiji. In a joint statement, Prime Ministers Rabuka and Narendra Modi reaffirmed a shared commitment to a secure Indo-Pacific. Rabuka said the cooperation will help protect Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, while Indian officials noted the focus remains on capacity building and maritime security.

Police probe motive behind Hindu statue thefts in Nadi

Police are investigating the theft of Hindu religious statues in Nadi, with five cases reported on Friday. Officers said the motive behind the incidents is too early to confirm at this stage and will be determined following the investigation. Three cases occurred in Korociri where five statues and a clay lamp were stolen, while separate incidents were reported in Nakurakura and Sagayam Road. 

Hindu federation concerned by vandalism of Hindu figures in Fiji

The World Hindu Federation (Pacific) has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep concern over recent vandalism and thefts at Hindu temples and homes in Nadi, including the removal of sacred statues and Shivlings. Federation President Sunil Kumar said these repeated attacks have caused widespread distress within the Hindu community and questioned whether the current political climate under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has emboldened such behaviour. The Federation has called on Modi to ask Rabuka how his government intends to safeguard the sanctity of religious sites and to explain the measures in place to protect the Hindu minority.

Islam first reached Africa in the seventh century when the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates spread the faith across the northern edge of the continent. Over time, Muslim kingdoms and trans-Saharan trade networks entrenched Islam across North and West Africa.

Christianity arrived in parts of northeast Africa within a few centuries of Jesus’s death, but its rapid expansion in sub‑Saharan Africa occurred much later, during European colonial missions in the 15th century. Several countries lying between the two zones, including Nigeria, Cameroon and Sudan, now have large populations of both faiths.

In Nigeria’s case, a roughly 50‑50 split between Muslims and Christians means it hosts about 115 million Muslims – the largest absolute number in any African country. Mauritius stands out because Hindus make up about 47.9 % of its population, a legacy of indentured Indian labourers who were brought to work on sugar plantations during colonial times.

The Pew Research Centre notes that between 2010 and 2020, the population of sub‑Saharan Africa grew by 31 % to 1.1 billion. Christians now account for 62 % of the region’s population, while Muslims make up roughly one‑third; religiously unaffiliated people and followers of traditional African religions each represent about 3%.

In absolute terms, the number of Christians rose to 697 million (up 31 % from 2010) and Muslims to 369 million (up 34 %); Hindus numbered just over a million. Pew emphasises that Muslim‑majority countries cluster in the north, near the Middle East and North Africa, while Christian‑majority countries dominate the south.

This division is so pronounced that it appears within countries: Nigeria’s mostly Muslim northern states and Christian south share a porous frontier, and this north‑south fault line contributed to Sudan’s split into Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. By comparison, the Middle East–North Africa region is overwhelmingly Muslim—94 % of its 440 million people identify as Muslim and only about 3 % as Christian.

Some countries resist neat classification. In Eritrea, estimates of religious composition vary widely: some sources put the Christian share between 47 % and 63 % and the Muslim share between 37 % and 52 %.

A 2010 national health survey found 61.4 % Christian and 38.4 % Muslim, whereas the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s 2021 report described the population as split roughly in half.

Ethiopia also balances a large Muslim minority with a dominant Orthodox Christian tradition, and in Sudan, the Muslim‑dominated northern provinces separated from the mostly Christian south in 2011. Mozambique saw the region’s largest increase in Christian share over the past decade, while the Muslim share has increased in Benin.

The practice was believed to carry cultural meaning, with designs used to identify members of the community and protect them from harm.

However, as rural Hindu communities in Muslim-majority Pakistan become increasingly connected to nearby towns and cities, fewer young women are choosing to continue the tradition.

Just 2% of Pakistan’s 240 million people are Hindu, most of whom live in Sindh.

Discrimination against minorities remains widespread, and many young Hindus say tattoos make them more visibly identifiable in public.

For Hindu activist Mukesh Meghwar, notions tied to tattoos are one reason for the declining tradition.

"We grew up hearing that a tattoo on the body is a sin [according to Muslims in Pakistan]," he told AFP. "I remember ten years back, I heard that one who has tattoos will have no life after death. It’s sin. And when we discuss such things with our families, it certainly affects our women as well.”

Many Muslims in Pakistan view tattoos as forbidden, and those who do have them rarely display them publicly.

Few Hindus interviewed could recall the origins of the custom, but anthropologists say it stretches back hundreds of years.

“These symbols are part of the culture of people who trace their roots to the Indus civilisation,” anthropologist Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro told AFP, referring to the Bronze Age period that predates modern religions. “These ‘marks’ were traditionally used to identify members of a community and to ward off evil spirits.”

For young Hindus, however, the practice no longer holds the same significance.

Durga Prem, a 20-year-old computer science student, said: “We want to represent our skills in front of others. We don’t want these things [tattoos] that could create hurdles in our communication.”

Another student, Mumta Prem, said tattoos can be a reason to be outcast.

“With education and living in the city, this trend is declining. One looks different from others if one has tattoos. So, we don’t have tattoos.”

While the tradition remains visible among older women in rural areas, Meghwar believes the younger generations are unlikely to carry it forward.

"This is very painful. Perhaps we are the last generation to see tattoos," he said.

According to the 2020 U.S. Religion Census , Islam ranks as the second largest religion in the majority of states, including California, Texas, New York, and Florida, reflecting the growth of Muslim communities in both urban and suburban areas.

Judaism claims the second spot in several key states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland, thanks to historically strong Jewish communities, especially in the Northeast.

Buddhism emerges as the second-largest religion in states like Montana, Idaho, and New Mexico , where immigration and refugee resettlement programs have contributed to vibrant Buddhist communities.

Hinduism holds the second position in Delaware, while the Bahá’í faith is the second largest in South Dakota—an interesting reflection of the smaller, but committed, religious minorities in those states.

The 2020 Religion Census compiled data from denominational reports, surveys, and community records, making it one of the most comprehensive religion surveys in the U.S. The patterns it reveals underscore the interplay of immigration, cultural heritage, and socio-economic dynamics in shaping America ’s religious makeup.

For example:

Subsequently, Christianity’s explosive rise from the 1st century CE became evident. Spurred by the Roman Empire’s adoption and European colonisation over centuries, Christianity surpassed all other religions by the 16th–17th century and has maintained that lead into the modern day.

In parallel, Islam rose swiftly after the 7th century CE, spreading from the Arabian Peninsula into the Middle East, North Africa , Central Asia, and parts of Europe and Southeast Asia. Today, it stands as the second-largest religion globally, and its growth trajectory remains steep due to high birth rates in Muslim-majority countries.

The fade of ancient faiths

Ancient polytheistic religions—such as those of the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Norse—which once dominated their regions, saw a decline following the spread of monotheistic faiths.

Buddhism, although never the largest in terms of global population, however, retains a significant and steady presence, particularly in East and Southeast Asia, thanks to early missionary efforts and cultural integration.

Modern shifts: The rise of secularism

By the 20th and 21st centuries, a new category began to climb: the religiously unaffiliated. This includes atheists, agnostics, and those who identify as "spiritual but not religious." Driven largely by secularisation in Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia , this group has grown rapidly—making it one of the largest belief segments today.

In a nutshell, Christianity remains the largest religion, with over 2.3 billion followers. Islam follows closely with 1.9 billion, projected to surpass Christianity by the end of the 21st century. The "unaffiliated" now make up more than 1 billion people , a number that continues to grow.

In May, an explosion at a chemical factory in Maharashtra killed at least nine people and injured 64 others. More recently, in August, a fire at a pharmaceutical factory in Andhra Pradesh led to 17 deaths and left 34 others injured.

However, for many workers, there is no alternative employment. "There is no other job opportunity in the area," said 49-year-old Rajathi, who earns 800 rupees ($9.50) a day sealing explosives in colourful packaging. Despite her long hours, she hopes her children will not follow in her footsteps.

The factories operate under strict rules. Mobile phones and cigarette lighters are banned inside to reduce the risk of accidental ignition, AFP reports.

"I know there have been accidents in the factories before, but I need to work to eat," explained 29-year-old Sivaraj, a new recruit to the job.

Diwali , celebrated over five days, marks the darkest night of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. This year, it falls on October 31, when homes will be lit with oil lamps and firecrackers will illuminate the sky. However, a growing awareness of the health risks associated with fireworks is leading to tighter restrictions.

On October 14, the Delhi government imposed a complete ban on the manufacturing, sale, storage, and use of all firecrackers until January 1, 2025. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) announced the ban as part of efforts to curb the severe air pollution that typically worsens around Diwali, particularly in the winter months.

Despite such bans, the use of firecrackers remains widespread during the celebrations. Enforcement has been inconsistent in the past, and many continue to flout the restrictions in the name of tradition.

Since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Hindu population has faced a series of targeted attacks in the Muslim-majority country.

However, Hindu devotees, amid the spate of attacks stepped out in large numbers on the culmination of the festival.

"We no longer feel any fear. Whatever concerns we had are now gone. There is nothing left to fear," said Kumar Mondal, a 50-year-old devotee, reflecting a sentiment of cautious relief among the celebrants.

For some, like 29-year-old music teacher Mitu Ghosh, initial fears remained. "We were celebrating the Puja with some apprehension, wondering what might happen at any moment. However, things are going well now. While there have been some incidents of vandalism that make us a bit sad, we are still celebrating the Puja," she said.

Jibon Chandra Pal, a 55-year-old Bangladeshi expatriate, shared a similar sentiment. "There was an incident in the Tanti Bazar neighbourhood in Dhaka on Friday, but it was a mugging, nothing too serious. The way we are celebrating now is what matters most," he said, noting that the anticipated violence did not occur.

Hindus make up approximately 8% of Bangladesh's 170 million population, translating to around 13 million people, making Hinduism the second-largest religion in the country after Islam.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, has been criticised for not doing enough to protect the Hindu minority. Reports suggest that hardline Islamist groups have gained increasing political influence and visibility since the fall of Hasina, raising concerns about the safety of the Hindu community.

Nearly 50 people attended the ceremony where an idol of Baglamukhi, a goddess symbolizing power and protection, was placed next to a poster of the former U.S. president bearing the message "Long Live Trump."

Two days after escaping an assassination attempt, Donald Trump arrived Monday to ovations at the Republican convention in Milwaukee, which officially designated him as the party's candidate for the presidential election on November 5, 2024.

"As you know Donald Trump was attacked, a bullet grazed his ear, and he could have died. This is the work of the people who do not believe in humanity, peace and have Jihadi mindset. They do not want Donald Trump to be the American President again," Vishnu Gupta, National President, of Hindu Sena said.

"We prayed to god that the enemies of Donald Trump must get wiped out and bestow upon him special blessings," he added.

The figure was part of items allegedly looted from a temple in India.

The Ashmolean Museum issued a statement saying the university council supported the return of the item in March.

According to them, they bought the statue at Sotheby's in 1967 but didn't know how collector Dr. J.R. Belmont had acquired it.

India Pride Project is an open-source intelligence organization that identifies and seeks to reclaim religious artifacts. Co-founder Vijay Kumar said worshippers have something to cheer.

“We saw COVID delays and procedural drama between British and Indian authorities on what should have been an open and shut case,” Kumar told the Times of India . “But we have been voicing our opinions on social media and we are almost there."

The Indian bronze will have to be approved by the Charity Commission, a regulatory body in England and Wales that decides if returning an art undermines the organisation’s charitable mission.

Many foreign governments including Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt have made a move to retrieve their lost artefacts from British museums in recent times.

Oxford agreed two years ago to return nearly 100 Benin bronzes that were looted in 1987 to the Nigerian government. The artefacts were looted by British soldiers who attacked and occupied Benin City as Britain expanded its political and commercial influence in West Africa.