Bhagwat’s Hindu population comment triggers row

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was in the midst of a controversy on Sunday over his comment on Hindu population, with Congress and BSP criticising him for the remarks.

“Which law says that the population of Hindus should not rise? There is nothing like that. What is stopping them when population of others is rising? The issue is not related to the system. It is because the social environment is like this,” Bhagwat had said yesterday on the issue of declining Hindu population.

He had made the remarks while addressing an event in Agra as part of his four-day stay in the city to interact with groups representing various social strata and professions.

Commenting on these remarks, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “Woh Dhaarm ki hi khaate hain. Woh aur kya baat karenge? (He banks on religion only, what else can be expected from him?)” 

Azad, who was asked by reporters in Lucknow to comment on the RSS chief’s remarks, added, “In every statement Bhagwat talks of dividing (society). He should have talked about employment, price rise but he didn’t do so.” 

BSP chief Mayawati, while addressing a rally in Agra, also criticised Bhagwat for this comment on Hindu population.

“The RSS chief tells Hindus to produce more than two children. I want to tell him: ‘you say produce more children, then ask Narendra Modi and central government if they will make arrangements for feeding them’,” she said.

Addressing about 2000 young couples today at another function, Bhagwat urged them to work for family values and help inculcate patriotic sentiments in children.