Mohan Bhagwat, leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has urged Indian families to have three children each, citing concerns over the country’s declining fertility rate.
Bhagwat, whose organisation is the ideological parent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made the remarks on Thursday during a lecture marking the RSS’s 100th anniversary. He argued that India’s population must remain “controlled, yet sufficient” to ensure national stability.
“In the national interest, every family should have three children and limit themselves to that,” Bhagwat said.
India, which recently surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation with 1.46 billion people, has seen its fertility rate drop below two children per woman, according to the UN Population Fund’s 2025 report.
Bhagwat’s comments reflect growing unease among Hindu nationalist leaders about demographic balance and long-term cultural identity. While some hardline groups have expressed concern over higher birth rates among minority communities, particularly Muslims, official data shows fertility rates are declining across all groups, including Muslims.
Addressing perceptions of hostility toward minorities, Bhagwat stressed unity and trust. “Our ancestors and culture are the same. Worship practices may differ, but our identity is one. Changing religion does not change one’s community,” he said, urging Muslims to overcome fears of assimilation.
The RSS, a cultural organisation with millions of grassroots volunteers, wields significant influence over India’s political landscape. Many senior BJP leaders, including Modi, are long-time members, and the group’s positions often shape government policies.
Bhagwat’s call has reignited debate over India’s demographic trajectory, with supporters framing it as a step toward stability, while critics warn it could fuel communal tensions under the guise of population policy.
