RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at the Kathale Kul Sammelan in Nagpur on Sunday, raised concerns about India’s declining population, citing modern population science. Bhagwat emphasized that a society risks disappearing when its fertility rate falls below 2.1 and advocated for higher fertility rates to ensure societal survival.
“The decline in population is a matter of concern. Modern population science says that when the fertility rate of a society goes below 2.1, that society vanishes from the earth. The society gets destroyed even without any crisis. In this way, many languages and societies have disappeared. We need more than two or three; this is what population science says,” Bhagwat said.
He also referred to India’s population policy, noting that it was crafted in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with guidelines to maintain a minimum fertility rate for societal stability.
Political Reactions:
Bhagwat’s remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, sparking a debate over population policies and societal priorities:
- AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi:
Owaisi sarcastically questioned whether the RSS chief would introduce financial incentives for families having more children.
“I want to ask Mohan Bhagwat, what will he give people for giving birth to more children? Will he deposit Rs 1,500 into the bank accounts of those who give birth to more children? Will he introduce a scheme for this? When Mohan Bhagwat is trying to make someone close to him the CM, he might as well introduce a scheme for this,” Owaisi said. - Congress Leader Tariq Anwar:
Anwar criticized the Sangh Parivar for what he termed a contradictory stance on population issues.
“The Sangh family seems confused. On one hand, BJP leaders allege that Muslims are having more children, that their population is increasing, and it should be stopped with a limit of two children. On the other hand, Mohan Bhagwat is saying that the population should not decrease because it is harmful to our civilization and heritage,” Anwar commented.
Context:
Bhagwat’s remarks come against the backdrop of ongoing debates on India’s population dynamics, with some policymakers advocating stricter family planning measures, while others highlight the challenges posed by a declining fertility rate. The RSS chief’s statements reflect concerns about cultural preservation amid changing demographic trends.
Critics, however, view such remarks as inconsistent with earlier narratives targeting specific communities for high population growth, raising questions about the policy coherence within the Sangh’s ideological framework.