Bhopal: Pandit Vishnu Rajoria, chairman of the government-run Parshuram Kalyan Board in Madhya Pradesh, has appealed to the Brahmin youth to have at least four children to prevent what he described as the takeover of the country by ‘vidharmi’ (heretics).
Rajoria, who holds the rank of a cabinet minister in the state government, made the statement while addressing a gathering of the Sanadhya Brahmin community in Indore Sunday. He also announced a prize of Rs 1 lakh for youth who give birth to four children.
Rajoria told ThePrint that people do not need to go to the government to claim this money. “Vishnu Rajoria and the board, along with its connections within society, will make provisions for this fund.”
Addressing the gathering, Rajoria said, “Youth who acquire good posts and positions in society put a full stop after one child. This is wrong, and it is my request that they should give birth to at least four children. Those who give birth to four children will be given a prize of Rs 1 lakh by the Parshuram Kalyan Board.”
Emphasising his point, Rajoria said that the prize of Rs 1 lakh would be given irrespective of whether he continues to be the chairman or not. “Whoever is the chairman, the prize money will be given by him.”
Explaining that there is hesitation among youth about having more children, Rajoria remarked, “Whenever I ask the youth, their response is that a lot of money is spent on their education. Maybe getting a good education is expensive, but we can survive on a little less money. You should not back out when it comes to having children, or else ‘vidharmi’ will take over this country. The Brahmins are already becoming a minority.”
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and spokesperson Dr Hitesh Bajpai told ThePrint that Rajoria’s comments reflect concerns about the declining fertility rate of Hindus.
“Every leader is concerned about the decline in the fertility rate, and such statements are merely a reflection of their concerns. These remarks should not be interpreted with any political overtones,” Bajpai said.
Criticising Rajoria’s statements, Congress leader and state media in-charge Mukesh Nayak said, “Everyone, from imams to RSS pramukhs and Jain munis, is urging the youth to produce more children. The country today has a population of 150 crore, leading to environmental imbalance, unemployment, rising crime, and a decline in quality of life due to population pressure.”
Nayak urged intellectuals in society to break their silence and speak out against the ongoing discourse on producing more children.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)