Census points to missing girl child among Sikhs

For the Sikh population as a whole, estimated at 19 million (1.9 per cent) — the fourth largest community — the decadal growth rate was also lowest at 18.2 per cent during the 1991-2001 census interregnum. This, also underlines a declining trend in growth since 1961-71.

Compared to Russia (1,140), Japan (1,041), USA (1,029), China (944), and even Pakistan (938), India’s sex ratio figure of 933 had not been encouraging, though it was up from 927 in 1991. Even Bangladesh’s figure was pegged at 953. But within India, where Chandigarh returned the worst figures of 790 and power centre Delhi next worse of 827, Punjab’s was 882.

Now, it turns out that 1.45 crore Sikhs, who comprise 59.9 per cent of Punjab’s 2.43 crore population, have returned a sex ratio figure of 897, only marginally better than the community’s national average.

But that’s an incomplete story. The picture is frightening when one accounts for the 0-6 population group, where Sikhs in Punjab have a sex ratio figure of 780, worse than even the community’s national average of 786. Figures for 0-6 age group for Hindus are 925, Muslims 950, Christians 964, Buddhists 942, Jains 870.

In states other than Punjab where Sikhs have a sizeable population, the situation is again worrisome. Haryana and Delhi Sikhs, comprising 5.5 and 4 per cent of the population of these states, show sex ratios of 893 and 925, while for the 0-6 age group, the figures stand at 742 and 796. Clearly, girl children are mysteriously missing.

Punjab must worry as a whole, for the figures don’t bode well for any community. Compared to the sex ratio of 897 for Sikhs, Hindus in Punjab show a figure of 846 and Muslims 793. The girl child is in danger in any community, though the Muslim figure of 879 for the 0-6 age group is better than 821 of Hindus and 780 for Sikhs.

When it comes to literacy rate, discrimination against the girl child blurs all community lines. Female literacy rate for Hindus is 68.3, for Sikhs 61.2 and for Muslims a shocking 43.4. At the national level too, the figures follow a similar pattern, with Sikhs having a female literacy rate of 63.1, Hindus 53.2 and Muslims 50.1.