SRINAGAR: Religion is given more preference than modern education in Jammu and Kashmir. At least the statistiscs seem to say so.
Housing data 2011 released by the J&K directorate of census operations has thrown up startling facts about the number of educational institutions and religious places in the strife-torn state.
Figures reveal that there are 49,135 places of worship (of all faiths) compared to 31,843 schools, colleges etc in Jammu and Kashmir, the DNA newspaper reported.
Places of worship have increased by 53% in 2011 compared to 2001 when their number was 32,025.
The educational institutions have also shot up by 64% in 2011 compared to 2001 when their number was 19,378.
The growth of educational institutions might be more, but in sheer numbers, the religious places have surpassed educational institutions in the restive state.
The boom in the religious places comes at a time when the literacy rate of Jammu and Kashmir is five percent below the national average.
Census 2011 puts the literacy rate of J&K at 68.74% compared to the national average of 74%.
“We have collected the data and put it in the public domain. We have not segregated the data (regarding the faiths). We cannot analyse (why is it happening),” CS Sapru, joint chief principal census officer was quoted as having said by the newspaper.
