RSS Leader Raises Alarm Over Demographic Trends
Mukunda CR, joint general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), expressed concerns on Sunday about India's demographic transition, labeling it a "demographic imbalance." He was speaking at an event titled '100 years of sangh journey – global perspective' in Mangaluru, part of the RSS centenary celebrations.
"It was estimated that the population would reach 900 crores by the year 2100. But nobody anticipated that the population would decline so rapidly. However, analyses suggest that going forward, it will decrease even further than its current level," Mukunda said.
Youth and Elderly Population Proportions
He emphasized that the proportion of youth in a country must align with the number of parents—those aged 60 and above—to maintain societal balance. "However, that is now decreasing," he noted. Mukunda pointed out that among 28 European nations, more than 17 have aging populations, with those aged 60 and above making up a larger share.
"Demographic transition is a major change in the world and in our 'Kutumba Prabodhana' (family awakening) programs as well. We discuss this matter from time to time. It is not just a demographic transition, but a demographic imbalance," he said.
Four Key Reasons for Demographic Imbalance
Mukunda listed four main reasons for demographic transition in India: a decline in the population of children, specifically a lower fertility rate within the Hindu population; religious conversion; infiltration from foreign countries—what is referred to as illegal immigration—particularly from Bangladesh; and rapid population growth and increasing proportions among non-Hindu communities.
RSS as a Movement and Organization
On the RSS completing 100 years, Mukunda said the sangh is "not just a mere philosophy, it is a movement, it is a way of life, and it is an organisation." He elaborated: "If RSS had just remained at the level of philosophy, there are hundreds of such philosophies in the world. In this world, there is no dearth of philosophy and philosophers, or ideologies and visions. But a workforce that has shaped its life in the vision and path of that philosophy, creating such a force, is what the sangh has done. This is the uniqueness of the Sangh."
RSS leaders Vaman Shenoy and Sathish Rao were also present at the event.
