Union minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday batted for a population control bill that proposes a two-child policy per couple in India while drawing comparisons with neighbouring China. “Population control bill is crucial, we've limited resources. China implemented 'one child policy', controlled population and achieved development. China has 10 children born a minute while India has 30 children born a minute, how'll we compete with China," Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The firebrand BJP leader further said that everyone should be subjected to the law, regardless of religion or sect, and those who violate it shouldn't receive government benefits. Their right to vote should likewise be taken.
Many right-wing groups and some BJP leaders, including Giriraj Singh, have been demanding legislation to check the population growth in India.
A recent United Nations report said that India’s population growth is stabilising, it is “still growing at 0.7% per year” and is set to surpass China in 2023 as the world’s most populous country.
“On 15 November, the world’s population is projected to reach 8 billion people. This unprecedented growth is due to the gradual increase in human lifespan owing to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine. It is also the result of high and persistent levels of fertility in some countries,” the UN said in a statement.
{{/usCountry}}“On 15 November, the world’s population is projected to reach 8 billion people. This unprecedented growth is due to the gradual increase in human lifespan owing to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine. It is also the result of high and persistent levels of fertility in some countries,” the UN said in a statement.
{{/usCountry}}China’s population is no longer growing and “may start declining as early as 2023”. It noted that India’s fertility rate has hit 2.1 births per woman replacement-level fertility and is falling, the UN's Population Fund report added.