The leader of India’s influential Hindu nationalist organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has called on families to have three children each, warning of the risks posed by declining fertility rates.
Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the RSS — the ideological parent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — made the remarks during a lecture on Thursday marking the organisation’s 100th anniversary. He argued that India’s population must remain “controlled, yet sufficient” for national stability.
“In the national interest, every family should have three children and limit themselves to that,” Bhagwat said.
India, now the world’s most populous country at 1.46 billion people, has seen its fertility rate fall below two children per woman, according to the UN Population Fund’s 2025 report.
Bhagwat’s appeal reflects growing anxiety among nationalist leaders and some regional politicians about long-term demographic balance, cultural identity, and national capacity. For years, hardline Hindu groups have voiced concern over higher birth rates among minority communities, particularly Muslims. However, official data shows that Muslim fertility rates are also steadily declining in line with national trends.
While stressing the need for demographic stability across all groups, Bhagwat rejected claims that the RSS is hostile toward minorities. “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. “Mutual trust must be built on all sides. Muslims must overcome the fear that joining hands with others will erase their Islam.”
The RSS, which describes itself as a cultural organisation promoting Hindu values, wields enormous influence through its nationwide network of affiliates and millions of grassroots volunteers. Many of Modi’s senior ministers, including the prime minister himself, are long-time members of the group. Analysts say BJP policies — ranging from cultural and education reforms to citizenship laws — often align with RSS positions, underscoring its status as one of the most powerful civil society organisations in the world.
Bhagwat’s remarks have reignited debate over India’s demographic future, with supporters viewing his call as a safeguard for national stability, while critics warn it risks stoking communal tensions under the guise of population policy.
Melissa Enoch
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