AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has publicly criticized the RSS, alleging ‘double-speak’ concerning population control. Owaisi referenced the apparent inconsistency between the previous advocacy for population control measures under the BJP government and the recent statement by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat promoting a three-child family model.
Owaisi brought attention to the absence of discussion about job creation for the substantial youth demographic in India. He alleged that Muslims are specifically targeted in the context of population growth. He said, ‘Now they are saying that each family should have three children. Earlier, they were saying that there should be a law on population that if there are more than two children in a family, then they should not be eligible for a government job.’
Owaisi argued that family size should be a matter of personal choice, free from external pressure, and stated, ‘This should be left to the decision of family members. Mohan Bhagwat is placing a burden on women…., he is misleading the country. Sixty per cent of the population which is young at present, Bhagwat is not talking about giving jobs to them. He is not talking about making them productive. RSS indulges in double speak. They mislead the people.’ He contended that the remarks of RSS leaders are designed to benefit the BJP politically.
Mohan Bhagwat, in his remarks, presented the idea that population growth could be both an asset and a liability. He explained, ‘Our country’s population policy recommends 2.1 children (on average). In maths, 2.1 is 2, but with the birth of children after 2, it is 3, which is why 2.1 means three. Every citizen should see that there should be three children in his/her family.’