New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad is in favour of a two-child norm as part of a uniform population policy, which it says should be included in the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Speaking to ThePrint, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Kumar Jain said India had reached the stage of “population explosion” and is the “worst sufferer” from demographic imbalance.
The VHP leader said there was a need to stop the increase in population. He also said the right to decide how many children to have should rest with women.
“Apart from population control, we need to check demographic imbalance too. Even the Allahabad High Court has expressed concern over this. We are the worst sufferers of demographic imbalance. So to correct that, a common population policy needs to be brought in. Whether it is Hindu, Muslim or anyone following any other religion, a common policy needs to be brought in for all. Having a uniform policy is also in accordance with the spirit of our Constitution,” he said.
In 2022, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat had said that community-based population imbalance was an important subject and should not be ignored. He batted for a comprehensive population policy. The RSS in the last two decades has passed resolutions on a population control policy.
Jain said a two-child policy was considered desirable for achieving population-stability, adding: “We want a two-child policy, this should be a policy for the entire country. Research shows what will happen when people will have more children. We don’t want a one-child policy. China is facing the repercussions of that. We are looking at two children. Hum do humare do kewal motto nahi hai.”
When asked about objections that were raised to this demand in the past and how many had termed it interference in religious matters, Jain said: “Were there no objections to the removal of Article 370 and doing away with triple talaq? I feel those who object need to do some thinking. Till when will Muslim women be kept away from their rights? How long will they continue to force Muslim women to live a hellish life? Just for some votes?”
“We saw what happened with Shah Bano. They create an issue out of it, saying it is interference in religious matters. How is that true? Is someone telling them not to pray? Not to sport a skull cap or keep a beard? In the name of Sharia law, they want to play with the democracy of India, which will not be tolerated.”
‘State governments should take the lead’
Earlier this week, Organiser, the RSS’s English mouthpiece, said in an editorial that there was a need to introduce a comprehensive national population control policy, pointing to a “demographic imbalance” emerging in certain areas of the country with “significant Muslim population growth”.
Jain said that while a resolution has already been passed regarding this, state governments need to take the lead in the matter.
“We passed a resolution regarding population control last year. Common population policy is the need of the hour. This policy is followed by all civilised nations, so why not in India? Hence, all state governments should take the lead and today is Population Day, too. We have to safeguard ourselves not only from population control but demographic imbalances,” he added.
“The need is to bring in a Uniform Civil Code and under that a common population policy should be formed. It is already there in some form in some states such as Assam and Uttarakhand.”
He added: “For instance, if one wants to contest the panchayat elections, then those who have more than two children are barred. Similarly, for a government job, those who have more than two kids are not eligible.”
“Without any opposition, a few aspects of the common population policy are already being implemented in some states. If we do it officially (after an announcement) then it will be all the better.”
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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