Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent call for families to produce more children stems from perceived demographic challenges but reflects a worldview that is regressive, anti-woman, and disconnected from India’s evolving cultural, social, and economic realities. While his pro-natalist agenda ostensibly aims to counter declining population trends, it has sparked widespread debate, raising concerns about its communal undertones and its potential to exacerbate gender inequality.

A Misplaced Call for Larger Families

Bhagwat’s proposal for families to have more children is based on the argument that declining fertility rates threaten the survival and dominance of certain communities. This narrative, often accompanied by alarmist rhetoric about population imbalances, underscores divisive politics. Although demographic trends warrant attention, his suggested solution disregards socio-economic realities and entrenches regressive norms. Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has echoed similar sentiments, advocating for larger families in his state. However, such approaches seem out of step with modern India’s aspirations.

Contradictions with India’s Family Planning History

The RSS chief’s observations clash with India’s family planning efforts from the late 1960s and 1970s, when the emphasis was on small families. Even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, during her tenure, highlighted the dangers of unchecked population growth, stressing the need for planned families. Bhagwat’s outdated stance ignores this historical context and the progress India has made in population stabilization through education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment.

Communal Undertones of the Narrative

Bhagwat’s remarks are part of a larger discourse on demographic imbalances, often aimed at minority communities. This rhetoric fosters fear, undermines social harmony, and contradicts India’s pluralistic traditions. Today’s youth prioritize quality of life over larger families, influenced by rising living costs, career aspirations, and financial stability. Bhagwat’s appeal appears disconnected from these realities, highlighting a gap between traditionalist agendas and contemporary Indian values.

India’s Demographic Reality

India is not experiencing a population decline but rather a slowdown in growth. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1. This trend reflects advancements in education, healthcare, and women’s autonomy. While policymakers globally view such developments as markers of progress, Bhagwat’s remarks frame this demographic shift as a cultural and religious issue, perpetuating communal narratives that risk deepening societal divisions.

A Regressive Vision for Women

Central to Bhagwat’s argument is a patriarchal notion that reduces women to their reproductive roles. His call for more children disregards women’s aspirations, autonomy, and well-being, placing an undue burden on them.

Reproductive Burdens

In a country where maternal mortality remains a concern and reproductive healthcare is uneven, urging women to have more children intensifies existing vulnerabilities. This rhetoric also undermines gender equality efforts, potentially derailing progress in women’s education and workforce participation by forcing them to prioritize reproduction over personal and professional growth.

Reinforcing Patriarchal Norms

The RSS’s vision aligns with traditional family structures, where women are expected to prioritize domestic roles. By advocating for larger families, Bhagwat inadvertently reinforces these outdated norms, perpetuating cycles of dependency and limiting women’s agency.

Economic and Environmental Challenges

India’s economic and environmental challenges render the call for larger families impractical.

Resource Constraints

With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, India faces severe resource constraints, including food insecurity, water scarcity, and unemployment. Increasing family sizes would exacerbate these issues, placing further strain on public services and natural resources.

Youth Unemployment

India’s youth population, often hailed as a demographic dividend, grapples with high unemployment rates. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) reports that unemployment among those aged 15-29 exceeds 20%. Without job creation, additional population growth risks turning this dividend into a liability.

Climate Crisis

India is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Population growth intensifies environmental challenges, increasing carbon footprints, complicating urban planning, and accelerating deforestation. Global policymakers advocate for sustainable development, making Bhagwat’s vision seem misaligned with contemporary priorities.

Cultural and Ethical Disconnect

India’s ethos is rooted in diversity, balance, and individual choice. Bhagwat’s remarks dismiss these values, echoing authoritarian tendencies that clash with Indian democracy. Family planning decisions are deeply personal and should not be influenced by socio-political agendas. Intervening in such choices undermines personal freedoms and contradicts the principles of modern India.

Progressive Alternatives to Address Demographic Challenges

Instead of alarmist rhetoric, India’s leadership should focus on forward-looking policies to address demographic concerns constructively: 

Strengthening Education: Improved access to education, particularly for girls, is key to stabilizing population growth. Educated women are more likely to make informed reproductive choices, contributing to sustainable demographics.

Enhancing Healthcare: Investing in maternal and child healthcare can reduce mortality rates and improve quality of life. Public awareness campaigns on family planning and reproductive health should be prioritized.

Promoting Economic Development: Job creation and economic security are vital to addressing demographic challenges. Policies empowering the youth and enhancing their employability can transform India’s demographic potential into an asset.

Encouraging Sustainability: India must adopt sustainable development practices, balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. Resilient cities, reduced resource consumption, and renewable energy initiatives should be central to policy frameworks.

Finally, Mohan Bhagwat’s call for larger families reflects an outdated worldview disconnected from India’s contemporary realities and aspirations. It undermines progress in women’s empowerment, strains national resources, and infringes on individual freedoms. India’s future lies in embracing progressive policies that champion equality, sustainability, and personal choice. By prioritizing education, healthcare, and economic growth, the nation can address demographic challenges without succumbing to regressive narratives. Bhagwat’s remarks underscore the ongoing need to challenge such ideas and advocate for an inclusive, forward-thinking vision for India.

(Writer is a senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist)