RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has argued that India needs to adopt a three-child norm, describing the oft-quoted 2.1 replacement rate as impractical in real life. “You can’t have 0.1 of a child. After two, it has to be three,” he said at a centenary lecture in New Delhi, stressing that population stability requires a tangible approach rather than mathematical precision.
He warned that communities with fertility levels falling below this threshold face the risk of gradual decline, framing the issue as one of long-term survival rather than short-term numbers. Citing medical opinion, Bhagwat added that marrying at the right age and having three children not only ensures physical well-being but also develops healthier family dynamics, with siblings better equipped to manage egos and balance relationships.
He warned that communities with fertility levels falling below this threshold face the risk of gradual decline, framing the issue as one of long-term survival rather than short-term numbers. Citing medical opinion, Bhagwat added that marrying at the right age and having three children not only ensures physical well-being but also develops healthier family dynamics, with siblings better equipped to manage egos and balance relationships.
While highlighting that population growth must be sustainable, Bhagwat clarified his position as “yes to three, but no more than that,” calling it the balance between demographic stability and economic stress. He further noted that declining fertility rates are not limited to Hindus but are visible across communities, pointing to a shared demographic challenge for the nation.
With India already overtaking China in total population but slipping below replacement-level fertility, Bhagwat’s call for “Hum Do, Hamare Teen” has sparked alive new discussions on the contentious issue.
First Published: Aug 29, 2025 1:58 AM IST
