Hindu population in the country has increased in absolute terms in last four decades but its share in the total population has decreased during the period.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in Lok Sabha that Hindu population in the country has increased in absolute terms from 45.33 crore in 1971 to 96.62 crores in 2011.

"However, the share of Hindu population in the total population has decreased during the period," he said in a written reply.

Hindu population was 82.7 per cent in 1971 but it has decreased to 79.8 per cent of total population in 2011, Ahir said.