Mumbai, India — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has sparked debate by advocating marriage between the ages of 19 and 25 and encouraging families to have at least three children, citing concerns over population imbalance in India.
Speaking at an interactive session in Mumbai to mark the RSS’s 100th anniversary, Bhagwat said medical experts suggest that early marriage and larger families contribute to better physical and mental health for parents and children. He argued that families with three siblings help children develop better emotional balance and reduce the likelihood of family divisions in the future.
Rejecting the concept of a one-child policy, Bhagwat warned that a population growth rate falling below 2.3 signals decline rather than progress. He identified three primary reasons behind what he described as a demographic imbalance in the country: religious conversions, illegal infiltration, and a declining birth rate.
Bhagwat emphasized that scientific research supports the idea of having three children per family, while clarifying that such decisions ultimately remain a matter of personal choice. He strongly condemned religious conversions carried out through coercion, deception, or inducement, and opposed efforts aimed at increasing the population of any particular community. He added that “ghar wapsi” remains the appropriate path for those wishing to return to their original faith.
On the issue of illegal immigration, Bhagwat said RSS volunteers help identify suspected infiltrators based on linguistic cues and share relevant information with authorities. He called for stronger government action, noting that efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants have begun and are expected to intensify.
Addressing employment concerns, Bhagwat stated that jobs in India should primarily go to Indian citizens, including Muslims, rather than foreigners. He observed that many locals have moved away from low-paying or informal jobs, creating opportunities for infiltrators to occupy those roles. “We are not trying to take anyone’s job,” he said, “but our people should be employed first.”
Bhagwat also questioned the use of the term “secularism” in the Indian context, suggesting that “panth-nirapekshata” (equal respect for all faiths) is more appropriate, as religion forms a core part of Indian life. He described language-related disputes as a localized issue and advised restraint while working in sensitive areas, including Muslim-majority neighborhoods.
Commenting on religion, Bhagwat said Islam is often described as a religion of peace, yet peace is not always evident in practice. He argued that without spirituality, any religion can become aggressive or dominance-oriented. According to him, current practices seen in Islam and Christianity do not always align with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad or Jesus Christ, and there is a need to return to what he called the “true essence” of these faiths.