Hindu-Muslim Rural Household Comparisons

This paper attempts to compare the relative economic status of rural Hindu households with that of rural Muslim households over the decade 1994-2004. It relies for base line estimates on the rural surveys conducted in 1994 by the National Council for Applied Economic Research. It also uses the National Sample Survey Organisation’s 61st Round’s 2004 rural data as extracted and published in the Sachar Report. It further examines data on Hindu-Muslim income differentials identified as a result of the independent surveys of 42 Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs).

The findings do not substantiate the idea of fixed and firm Muslim household income/expenditure differences over time compared to the Hindu majority. On the other hand, they indicate that a relatively faster Muslim progress over the decade 1994-2004 has led to closing of the initial gap. This is especially heartening as it relates to the period of liberalisation and the transition to a market economy, which has disrupted many traditional patterns of rural livelihoods especially of artisans.