Nagpur, Maharashtra: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday expressed concerns about the declining fertility rates in society, emphasizing the potential long-term consequences for societal survival. Speaking at a public gathering, Bhagwat highlighted the critical role of population dynamics in ensuring the continuity of societies and cultures.
Drawing on modern population science, Bhagwat stated, “When the population (fertility rate) of a society goes below 2.1, that society vanishes from the earth. That society gets destroyed even when there is no crisis.” He underscored that a fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman leads to irreversible population decline, which, in turn, poses existential threats to societies.
The RSS chief further reflected on historical instances where languages and societies disappeared due to demographic imbalances. “In that way, many languages and societies were destroyed,” he remarked, urging society to remain vigilant about such trends.
Highlighting the need for a balanced population policy, Bhagwat referred to India’s population frameworks from 1998 and 2002, which acknowledged the importance of maintaining a fertility rate above 2.1 to sustain societal equilibrium. He stressed, “We need more than two or three [children per family]; this is what population science says. The number is important because society should survive.”
Bhagwat’s comments come amid ongoing debates about population control and demographic challenges in India. While India remains one of the most populous countries globally, regions within the nation exhibit significant variations in fertility rates, with some areas approaching or falling below replacement levels.
The RSS chief’s remarks are expected to reignite discussions on the need for a comprehensive and balanced population policy, one that takes into account both the challenges of overpopulation and the risks associated with declining birth rates.
As India grapples with these demographic trends, Bhagwat’s observations highlight a critical juncture for policymakers and society alike to consider the broader implications of population dynamics on cultural and societal sustainability.
