Congress Condemns RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Controversial Population Comments
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New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) The Congress party on Sunday condemned Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat for his statements promoting an increase in fertility rates as a means to guarantee the "survival of society."
During his speech at the 'Kathale Kul Sammelan' in Nagpur, he voiced concerns regarding the declining population trends and underlined the necessity of maintaining a fertility rate of 2.1. Citing historical examples, Bhagwat cautioned that societies and languages have vanished due to their failure to adapt to evolving circumstances. "The population should not fall below 2.1. Our country's population policy was set between 1998 and 2002, and for any society to thrive, its population should not dip below this threshold," Bhagwat remarked.
Congress leaders sharply rebuked Bhagwat's comments, labeling them as regressive and harmful to India's advancement.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar characterized the remarks as "an example of mental bankruptcy," accusing Bhagwat and the Sangh of attempting to fracture society.
"These are disgusting statements aimed at undermining unity. Their entire agenda is focused on dragging the country backwards," Anwar told IANS.
Supporting this view, Congress leader and former MP Udit Raj questioned the logic behind advocating for population growth.
"Is it necessary to increase the population, or should we concentrate on the country's development? This regressive mindset will only exacerbate poverty," he stated.
"Without progress in science, technology, and agricultural output, merely increasing the population will yield no benefits," Raj added in his comments to IANS.
Furthermore, Bhagwat's statements ignited a broader discussion regarding the effects of fertility rates and population policies.
While the RSS chief asserted that a reproduction rate exceeding 2.1 is crucial for the survival of any race, critics highlighted the challenges of overpopulation, resource scarcity, and the need for equitable development.
The remarks emerge at a time of increasing attention on India's demographic patterns and policies, reflecting diverse viewpoints on how to tackle the intricacies of population growth and economic progress.
