RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has argued that India should adopt the three-child norm, calling the oft-cited replacement rate of 2.1 impractical in real life. “You can’t have 0.1 children. After two, it has to be three,” he said at a centenary conference in New Delhi, emphasizing that population stability requires a tangible approach rather than mathematical precision. He warned that communities whose fertility levels fall below this threshold face the risk of gradual decline, framing the problem as a question of long-term survival rather than short-term numbers. Citing medical advice, Bhagwat added that getting married 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 their egos and balance their relationships.
While emphasizing that population growth must be sustainable, Bhagwat clarified his position by saying “yes to three, but not more than that”, calling it a balance between demographic stability and economic stress. He further noted that the decline in fertility rates is not limited to Hindus but is visible across all communities, highlighting a common demographic challenge for the nation.
With India already surpassing China in terms of total population but falling below replacement fertility, Bhagwat’s call to “Hum Do, Hamare Teen” has sparked further heated discussions on the controversial issue.
First publication: August 29, 2025 01:58 STI
