New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued an appeal to Hindus: get married at the age of 25, and have at least 2-3 children. The stated objective of the appeal, issued by means of a resolution, is to offset the decline in total fertility rate (TFR) of Hindus, which VHP argues ‘may lead to Hindus becoming a minority in India in the next 50 years’.
The RSS-affiliated organisation also sounded an alarm over ‘danger to the institution of marriage’ and an ‘increase in live-in relationships and wild lifestyles’. The resolution was passed during a three-day meeting of VHP’s central board of trustees held at the group’s camp in Sector 18 of Maha Kumbh Nagar in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from 7-9 February.
VHP joint general secretary Dr Surendra Jain confirmed to ThePrint that a resolution to that effect was passed during the meeting, where emphasis was laid on a host of issues from freeing Hindu temples from government control to ‘population imbalance’ and rising drug addiction.
“Population imbalance is proving fatal for the existence of the Hindu society. In 1951 CE, the population of Hindus in Bharat was 84 percent which has now decreased to 78 percent. The average fertility rate of Hindus has become 1.9 which is less than the population stability rate of 2.1. The birth rate of the Muslim society remains much higher than that of the Hindus. Due to late marriage and the misconception of a bright future, the birth rate in case of Hindu couples is decreasing,” read the resolution.
It went on to add, “If this trend continues, then Hindus may become a minority in Bharat in the next 50 years. The tendency of having fewer children has become a threat not only to the existence of the Hindu society but also to the happy and secure future of the family.”
The resolution used the terms birth rate and total fertility rate interchangeably, though both are separate metrics. TFR, or average number of children born to a woman, stood at 2.0 at the time of the last National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in 2019-21—a decline from 2.2 in 2015-16. While TFR is still highest among Muslims, all religious groups including the Muslims witnessed a decline in TFR between 1992 and 2021.
Also Read: Falling fertility rates won’t stop economic growth. See Tamil Nadu
VHP resolution calls on ‘Hindu youth’
In its resolution, the VHP also gave out a nationwide call urging both young Hindu men and women to get married by the age of 25, terming it a necessity. The RSS affiliate also raised concern over the issue of Hindu society facing ‘social, cultural and demographic challenges’.
“Serious problems like increasing drug addiction, dwindling rate of population, late marriages, families moving away from time-tested Hindu customs and rituals and their disintegration are emerging. If these problems are not resolved, it can prove fatal for the stability and existence of Hindu society—the National Society of Bharat.
“The Central Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of Vishva Hindu Parishad call upon the Hindu youth to be ready to face these challenges and rout them,” read the resolution, a copy of which ThePrint has accessed.
It added, “…it is the need of the hour for Hindu youth to get married at the age of 25. Due to not getting married at the appropriate age, the birth rate is declining, and the happy future of the family is in danger. Only a family system based on Hindu values can ensure a happy life. Western materialism, consumerism, urban Naxalites and global corporate groups are constantly conspiring to confuse the youth and make them deficient in values.”
The resolution also said “time-tested customs and traditions” are being constantly neglected and “attempts are being made to make Hindu families deficient in Sanatan culture”. Adding, “Families are breaking up, children and the elderly are being denied social security. The institution of marriage, which is the basis of a strong society, is in danger.”
The resolution also said, “…due to the lopsided thinking towards families, suicidal attraction towards extramarital relationships, live-in relationships and many types of indiscipline and wild lifestyles are increasing.”
Calling on the country’s thinkers, social scientists, educationists and social and religious organisations, the VHP urged them to initiate public awareness campaigns to raise awareness about these issues.
“The central and the state governments of Bharat should understand the gravity of these serious issues facing the National Society of Bharat and the country and take appropriate steps immediately to address these. Public awareness should be created on the above matters with the help of educationists, kathaakaars (storytellers), revered saints, social and religious organisations and also take strict steps to stop propaganda against time-tested Hindu customs, rituals, the nation and the land of divinities,” it said.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
The VHP is spreading paranoia. There are many meaningful things they can do building bridge between communities, coduct constructive interfaith dialogues, propagate meaningful and profound aspects of the faith.
Instead they waste their time spreading hate and paranioa about India’s minority communities.
The playbook is similar to Zia’s Islamization in Pakistan which brought that country to where it is today. It is also similar to the Sinhala First rhetoric in Sri Lanka which resulted in an internecine civil war.
For some reason we dont learn from others mistakes and do better. Instead India seems to be bent on committing the same mistakes.
VHP should provide free child care including health care and education.