Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday expressed concern over the decline in India’s population growth rate and said families should have at least three children.
“A decline in population is a matter of concern. Modern demographic studies indicate that when the population of a community falls below a fertility rate of 2.1, that society faces extinction. It does not need external threats to vanish, it disappears on its own. Many languages and societies have ceased to exist due to this. Therefore, our population must not fall below 2.1,” Bhagwat said in Nagpur.
Bhagwat explained why he was suggesting three kids per family.
“Our country’s population policy was framed in 1998 or 2002, and it clearly mentioned that no community’s population should drop below 2.1. Since one cannot have fractional children, we need at least three children per family, as per population science,” Bhagwat reasoned.
Bhagwat’s remarks triggered a political row in Bihar, where caste-based census and population control measures are sensitive issues.
“Leaders of the BJP often speak about population control, and now the RSS chief is advocating for more children. The BJP and RSS should first resolve their own contradictions. While the government promotes awareness campaigns for population control, such statements encourage having more children,” said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari.
The Janata Dal (United) also slammed Bhagwat’s comments.
“Before making such statements, the RSS chief should consult BJP leaders who regularly speak on population control. In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has worked as a role model in this regard. Kumar believes educating women is the key to population control,” said JD(U) spokesperson Arvind Nishad.
