Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), recently sparked significant political debate and controversy with his comments urging families to have at least three children to prevent a population decline in India. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of population stability for the survival of a society. He referenced demographic science to support his claim, arguing that societies face existential threats when their fertility rate drops below 2.1 children per woman, a level considered necessary for population replacement. According to Bhagwat, societies whose populations decline below this threshold eventually face extinction without the need for external threats, citing the historical disappearance of many languages and communities that could not maintain sustainable population growth. He strongly urged that "our population must not fall below 2.1," stressing the urgency of addressing this issue for the nation's long-term survival.
Bhagwat's remarks have sparked considerable political reactions, especially from opposition parties in Bihar, where both caste-based census and population control have become highly sensitive and politically charged topics. Bihar, which has a large rural and diverse population, has seen its demographic policies increasingly scrutinized in recent years, especially regarding how they impact regional and national politics. Many political leaders from Bihar quickly responded to Bhagwat's statement, arguing that it contradicted ongoing government efforts and campaigns focused on population control.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari led the charge in critiquing Bhagwat's statements, pointing out the apparent contradiction between the RSS chief’s call for larger families and the BJP-led government's support for population control campaigns. Tiwari accused the BJP and RSS of promoting conflicting narratives, questioning how both can advocate for awareness programs on family planning while simultaneously encouraging families to have more children. He suggested that these contradictory messages could lead to confusion among the public, undermining the effectiveness of population control initiatives.
The Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), a key ally of the ruling coalition in Bihar, also took issue with Bhagwat's comments. JD(U) spokesperson Arvind Nishad questioned why Bhagwat did not first consult with BJP leaders who have consistently emphasized the importance of population control measures. Nishad specifically pointed to Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, who has been a vocal advocate of policies aimed at controlling population growth through education, particularly women's education. Kumar has been a proponent of empowering women as a means to manage population growth sustainably, believing that improving access to education and healthcare for women will naturally lead to lower birth rates. This approach is in stark contrast to Bhagwat’s suggestion that families should have more children to ensure population stability.
The growing controversy surrounding Bhagwat’s comments underscores the larger debate in India about the balance between population growth and sustainable development. While some political and social leaders agree with Bhagwat's emphasis on ensuring a healthy population size, many others argue that the focus should be on improving education, healthcare, and women’s rights, which have proven to be key drivers of demographic change in various countries. Moreover, the ongoing discussion about caste-based census in states like Bihar adds further complexity to the population control conversation. Different communities have varied perspectives on population growth, which is often intertwined with issues of social justice and equality.
In response to Bhagwat’s call, proponents of family planning argue that a more pragmatic and holistic approach to population management is necessary. They emphasize the importance of voluntary and informed choices, particularly by women, as the cornerstone of population control. This includes increasing access to contraceptive methods, promoting women’s rights, and ensuring that individuals are empowered to make decisions about their families based on their circumstances rather than external pressure or ideological dictates.
The issue of population control and its implications for India’s future is far from straightforward, and Bhagwat’s comments have injected a new layer of complexity into the national conversation. With the nation's population growth continuing to be a focal point for policymakers and political parties alike, the debate is likely to intensify as India strives to find a balance between ensuring a sustainable population and addressing its development needs in the coming decades.
