A war of words has broken out between the BJP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi after remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that a fertility rate of “three” was essential for the survival of society. Bhagwat expressed alarm at the falling population in India.
Speaking at the Kathale Kul Sammelan in Nagpur, Bhagwat said that a fertility rate less than 2.1 presents a threat of destroying the very existence of society. Bhagwat said modern population science itself estimates that when the fertility rates slip below 2.1, the societies will also disappear.
“The decline in population is a matter of concern,” Bhagwat said. “Modern population science says that when the fertility rate of a society goes below 2.1, that society vanishes from the earth. The society gets destroyed even without any crisis. Many languages and societies have disappeared this way.” He went on to reiterate the necessity of maintaining a fertility rate above 2.1, “we need more than two or three; this is what population science says.”
The remarks have sparked a political outcry, with Owaisi taking to Twitter to call out the comments as an effort to divide society. The exchange indicates the continued friction between the two parties, especially over the issues of demographics and national identity.
