Is a higher birthrate the solution?

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373577

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Posted: 10 years ago

VHP honours Assam couple with eight children:

HT correspondent, Hindustan Times,Guwahati, Jan 13, 2015

Few knew Malati and Sushanta Nath beyond remote Srikona in southern Assam's Cachar district, but almost overnight they have become the poster couple of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)'s campaign asking Hindus to produce more babies to counter what the group calls the "demographic invasion" by Muslims in India.

Hardline Hindu groups say the higher birth rate in the Muslim community will lead to the minority becoming a majority in the country of close to 1.3 billion people.

VHP leaders also hailed the Naths as patriotic at a public function in Silchar town, 343 kilometres south of Guwahati.

But Hindus were not the first in the northeast to wake up to this demographic threat and urge women to produce more children. A tribal council in Meghalaya, where Christians and adherents of indigenous faiths are on almost equal footing, had in 2006 launched a reward scheme for locals with large families.

How justified is such type of anxiety ? What do you think about the solution suggested ?

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souro

@souro

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Posted: 10 years ago

It's a fact that birth rate of Hindus, Jains, Christians etc. in India has declined significantly over the years. Compared to that birth rate of Muslims in India, although it has declined over years, the decline is not as high as the other religions and therefore their birthrate is higher than the others. It's also very visible how the percentage of Muslims in the population is steadily increasing. Given the increasing share of Muslims in the demographics, coupled with the tension that exists between Muslims and Hindus, it's not unnatural for Hindus to feel concerned about the fallout in future.

However, I don't think the solution is calling for Hindus and Christians and others to have more babies. It might be good for each religion's membership count, but the nation can ill afford such members. Instead the solution should be to get the Muslims to lower their birthrate even more. First of all, educate the Muslims about the importance of family planning. Secondly, abolish the rule allowing them to have 4 wives. Thirdly, action should be taken against maulvis who preach that family planning is against the will of god and encourage followers to have more children, and by extension, action should be taken against anyone who publicly encourages people to have more than 1 or 2 kids.

Edited by souro - 10 years ago

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373577

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Posted: 10 years ago

Totally agree with what your post. In principle the solution you suggested also seem good but in practice no political party would be willing to take the risk of implementing the logical solution suggested for fear of upsetting religious sentiments and thus adversely affecting their vote banks.

People ought to think for themselves. Would the organisations that ask them to have 4 or more children come forward to support their children with food, health , education, housing and jobs? And what about the women who are being looked upon as baby producing factory! Should they be only be stay at home moms looking after housework and team of their children? But that is exactly the role assigned to them by some mindset. More children means less freedom for the woman and more dependency. Thats diabolical 😈

All the same the fact remains that Hindus are being outnumbered and I dont think thats about to be reversed anytime soon. The question is - is it important to maintain their numbers ? What happens if they get outnumbered? 🤔

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Kankshita

@thegameison

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Posted: 10 years ago

How justified is such type of anxiety?

It's not. 😳

What do you think about the solution suggested?

The solution is ludicrous. Even keeping aside that such a solution is not even needed, this is like giving your child a chocolate because he spat in someone's eye or littered the public park. India is one of the most ancient countries and paradoxically, has one of the youngest population of all countries in all of the world. Now, my point is, our demographic structure does not need a high birthrate, it's extremely high as it is.

It is frustrating to see that the ability to reason and the ability to justify religious pursuits are inversely proportional to each other. Out of reciprocal, I want to respect theist people's beliefs I know because they let me be an atheist. But such people make it really hard for me to see the damn point.

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373577

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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: epiphany.
How justified is such type of anxiety?

It's not. 😳

What do you think about the solution suggested?

The solution is ludicrous. Even keeping aside that such a solution is not even needed, this is like giving your child a chocolate because he spat in someone's eye or littered the public park. India is one of the most ancient countries and paradoxically, has one of the youngest population of all countries in all of the world. Now, my point is, our demographic structure does not need a high birthrate, it's extremely high as it is.

It is frustrating to see that the ability to reason and the ability to justify religious pursuits are inversely proportional to each other. Out of reciprocal, I want to respect theist people's beliefs I know because they let me be an atheist. But such people make it really hard for me to see the damn point.

Yes the suggested solution appears to be ludicrous but the problem is a real one ---or is it not?🤔 The Hindus look set to be outnumbered and become a minority very soon as their numbers are declining and other religions rising. So what do you think could be the solution?

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later ;)

@QuietlyLoud

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Posted: 10 years ago

I don't mind the increasing minority population as long as India remains secular not favouring any particular religion but if it concerns anyone,family planning is a good idea.

Irrespective of religion and region,make two child a norm all over India. Population explosion is such a pressing issue globally anyway so it would be a wise decision to check the over all population growth.If implemented properly,that would also stabilize the current majority to minority ratio.

IMO region has importance than religion in determining demographics .For instance in my state, there are many Christians and Muslims but regardless of religion almost all families have either 1 or 2 children. 3 children families are rare and 4 children are practically unheard of.Most families in Northeast have more children in general,I think.

Asking Hindus to produce more babies is just plain idiotic.Who would be that oblivious about the increasing population growth?Are they living inside a cave or what?🤔

If family planning is introduced just in Muslim population or in any other religious minority for that matter,I don't think they're going to take it in a positive light.That would just look like a calculated effort to crush the minority population.It'd worsen the already existing tension between Hindus and Muslims,if any thing.On the other hand,it will go down well with all religions if family planning introduced as a whole and not targeting any particular religion.

Edited by QuietlyLoud - 10 years ago

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Kankshita

@thegameison

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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: zorrro
Yes the suggested solution appears to be ludicrous but the problem is a real one ---or is it not?🤔 The Hindus look set to be outnumbered and become a minority very soon as their numbers are declining and other religions rising. So what do you think could be the solution?

I don't think it is a problem. Demographically, the problem isn't that Muslims are outnumbering Hindus, it is that Indians are outnumbering the estimated number of microbes on the planet. Or have we already crossed that milestone? I am sorry, I checked and I cannot seem to solve the exponents and stuff. 😳

Since I don't think of it as a problem, I cannot think of any solution.

There is a need for the entire population, by and large to be controlled. Honestly, only religious fanatics can give a shit about their numbers going down with respect to another religion. Because I am sure as hell, that a normal Hindu will find a bunch of Hindus with whom to co-exist even if their numbers go down. There will never actually be a dearth of people belonging to one ethnicity (unless already a minority), not really.

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souro

@souro

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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: QuietlyLoud
I don't mind the increasing minority population as long as India remains secular not favouring any particular religion but if it concerns anyone,family planning is a good idea.

But can you be sure of India remaining secular if Muslims increase their proportion to a stage where they are the dominant religion or at least have equal representation in the population as Hindus?

Given the historical and current examples, it sounds very optimistic.

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souro

@souro

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Posted: 10 years ago

Originally posted by: epiphany.
Because I am sure as hell, that a normal Hindu will find a bunch of Hindus with whom to co-exist even if their numbers go down. There will never actually be a dearth of people belonging to one ethnicity (unless already a minority), not really.

Religions do go extinct. Civilisation and culture as well. I don't know what makes you so sure as hell.

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Kankshita

@thegameison

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Posted: 10 years ago

#10

Originally posted by: souro
Religions do go extinct. Civilisation and culture as well. I don't know what makes you so sure as hell.

Well, it ain't happening anytime in the near future. There are several other immediate threats to our country. So, I am sorry if I can't see the point behind this 'problem'.

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Is a higher birthrate the solution?

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