New Delhi: India needs a comprehensive population control policy which applies to all “equally” for the next 50 years, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said Wednesday, citing the need to address the challenges posed by the religious-based population imbalance.
Bhagwat also came out in support of the Modi government on the economic front, saying while it is fulfilling its responsibilities, the society also needs to pitch in. Highlighting India’s growing influence, he cited the example of how it came to the aid of Sri Lanka during its economic crisis as well as the role it played in addressing the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
While highlighting the need for an integrated population control policy which is made after comprehensive thought, Bhagwat said religion-based population imbalance is an important subject that cannot be ignored.
“Population imbalances lead to changes in geographical boundaries. Alongside the differences in birth rate, conversions by force, lure or greed and infiltration are also big reasons. Religion-based population imbalance is an important subject not to be ignored. Population imbalance is an aspect of great importance. Seventy-five years ago, we experienced this in our country,” he said at the annual Vijayadashmi programme at Nagpur.
East Timor, South Sudan and Kosovo have emerged in the 21st century as a result of population imbalance, he added.
Experts opine that ultra nuclear families are posing challenges for the all around development of young girls and boys, he said. “An increased sense of insecurity, social tension present testing times and question marks hang over the central edifice of our society — ‘family system’.”
Giving the example of China which has reversed its ‘one family, one child policy’, he said the country should also think about its population.
“Our national interest influences our thoughts on population matters. Today we are the youngest country. Fifty years hence, today’s youth will be senior citizens. To look after them what size should be our young population, this math we have to do. With efforts, the people make a country grand; they also carry on their family line and that of society. To beget, preserve and protect a populace apart from being relevant for national identity and security, is a subject that touches some other facets also,” he said.
“The government made a policy a few years back. From our goal of reaching a total fertility rate of 2.1, we came down to 2. We implemented it very well. However, if it continues to come down further, it could be detrimental. Because in the family, a child learns social behaviour from other family members. Not only do you need elders, you need people of your age too and that helps you in interactions. When population decreases, societies disappear. Languages disappear as there is no one left to speak…,” Bhagwat cautioned as he emphasised on why such a population policy is needed.
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Self-reliance
Days after RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s comments about poverty, unemployment and inequality created a political stir, Bhagwat asserted that the society also needs to pitch in even as the government is fulfilling its responsibilities.
“We all feel a sense of exhilaration as we see our dear country, Bharat, make remarkable strides in strength, character and international acclaim. The government is pursuing policies which lead towards self-reliance. Bharat’s importance and stature has increased in the community of nations,” he said.
“In the sphere of security, we are becoming more and more self-sufficient. After negotiating through the calamity of Corona, our economy is inching towards the pre pandemic levels,” the Sangh chief said.
Bhagwat said the Indian economy is returning to normalcy post-Covid and “world economists are predicting that it will grow further”. “In sports also, our players are making the country proud. Change is the rule of the world, but one should be firm on Sanatan Dharma,” he asserted.
“The Prime Minister, in his address to the nation on the occasion of the inauguration of Kartavya Path, gave a description of Modern India’s future based on economic, technological and cultural foundations. You all have heard it. The government is to be commended for its clear enunciations. However, it is required that we all perform our responsibilities in word and deed in this direction. To advance on the ‘Atmanirbhar’ path, it is important to understand the fundamental tenets and ideas that define us as a nation,” said Bhagwat.
Changes are introduced by the government and administration but they won’t be successful until supported by society, Bhagwat asserted. “This emphasis on society’s participation in every sphere of our national life, is not to relieve the government of its responsibilities of governance. It is to emphasise societal partnership for national upliftment and pivot policy making in that direction.”
Rather than running after jobs, he said, the society needs to focus on job creation. “We all want our economy to be one that creates jobs. Employment means jobs and we will run after jobs only and that, too, government jobs and near my office. If everyone would want [jobs], then how many would be able to give jobs? In any society, there are around 10-30 per cent jobs including govt and private as people have to do their work,” he said.
“If we won’t pitch in, then how much can the government and the administration increase jobs or generate employment? If society won’t do it, it won’t happen. Why am I concentrating on society? I am not trying to free the government from its responsibilities and we shouldn’t either. We have to keep an eye on them whether they are performing their responsibilities or not. This is the work of the society. But even if they [government] fulfil their responsibilities and society doesn’t, then we can’t progress,” he said, asserting that society needs to bring in changes.
‘Concept of Hindu Rashtra being taken seriously’
While asserting that RSS stands for Hindu Rashtra, Bhagwat said it is because of the Sangh’s activities that the concept of Hindu Rashtra is being taken seriously. One “neither threatens nor gets threatened,” this is the kind of a Hindu society which is a need of the present times, he said. “This is not anti-anybody. Sangh has a steely resolve to stand on the side of brotherhood, amity and peace.”
He said the “propaganda against the Sangh that was based on malice and selfishness, has now lost its impact. This is because the geographical and social reach of Sangh has considerably increased [in strength]”.
The RSS chief pointed out that many people agree with the concept but are opposed to the word ‘Hindu’ and they prefer to use other words.
“We don’t have any issue with that. For the clarity of concept, we will keep emphasising the word Hindu for ourselves. Scare-mongering is done among so-called minorities that there is a danger to them because of us or organised Hindus. This has not happened in the past, nor will it happen in future. This is neither the nature of Sangh nor of the Hindus; history bears this out.
“Self defence and defence of our own becomes a duty for everyone against those who spread hatred, commit injustice, atrocity, engage in acts of hooliganism and enmity towards society,” he said.
Bhagwat also reflected on his recent meetings with the members of the minority communities that had become a subject of discussion.
“With some such worries, from amongst the so-called minorities, some gentlemen have been meeting us. They have had meetings and discussions with Sangh office-bearers and this will continue. Bharatvarsh is an ancient nation, one nation. Preserving this identity and forms of tradition, while at the same time maintaining each one’s uniqueness, we should live with one another with love, respect and peace and engross ourselves in the selfless service of our nation. We must be companions in bliss and sorrow; we must understand and respect Bharat; we must be of Bharat. This is the Sangh vision of national integrity and harmony. There is no other motivation or vested interest of Sangh,” he said.
Recalling the recent killings that took place in Rajasthan’s Udaipur and other parts of the country, Bhagwat the society at large was left stunned and many were sad and angry.
“It has to be ensured that there is no recurrence of such incidents. [A] particular community as a whole cannot be taken as a root cause for these incidents. After the Udaipur incident, from within the Muslim society, a few prominent persons voiced their protest against the incident. This should not be an isolated phenomenon within the Muslim society, rather it should become the nature of their large sections. Hindu society, in general, assertively expressed their protests and strong reactions after such incidents even if the accused were Hindus,” he added.
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Support to NEP & mother tongue
Coming out in full support of the New Education Policy, Bhagwat said that it was a myth that English is important for making a career.
“The New Education Policy should lead to students becoming highly cultured, good human beings who are also inspired by patriotism – this is everyone’s desire. Society needs to support this actively,” he said in his Vijaya Dashami address
“Education that encourages teaching in one’s mother-tongue as a policy is a highly reasonable opinion; the government/administration is paying attention to this by way of New Education Policy.”
Bhagwat called upon parents to decide whether they want their children be taught in their own language and want their wards to become “a part of a blind rat race”.
Women empowerment
Hailing the tradition of ‘Matri Shakti’ (women power), Bhagwat called for the empowerment of women in all domains of society, along with their participation and equity in the decision-making process.
Women should be given independence to work and equal rights, he said. “It is imperative to give women independence to work and equal rights in all spheres.”
“So, beginning with changes within our own families, we will have to take it to society through the organisation. Until women’s equal participation is ensured, the efforts aimed at the progress of the country will not be successful,” Bhagwat said.
The RSS had invited mountaineer Santosh Yadav as its chief guest at the annual event in Nagpur.
“The Shakha methodology of ‘Vyakti Nirman’ (human- development) is being operated separately by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh & Rashtriya Sevika Samiti. All other activities are carried out jointly by men and women. Bharatiya tradition has always thought with this vision of complementarity.
“However, this great tradition was forgotten and numerous limitations were placed on ‘Matri Shakti’. Repeated aggressions in our country created legitimacy for these false practices and over time they became habitual. At the very outset of our national regeneration, our great leaders rejected all manner of false practices that had become the lot of women,” he said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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