Vijayawada: A day after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced monetary benefits of Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 for parents having a third and fourth child respectively, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Sunday demanded that the state government provide these incentives only to Hindus.
VHP's Demand for Exclusive Hindu Incentives
The VHP, in a statement, asserted that Hindus have witnessed a sharp decline in birth rates over the past several decades due to strict adherence to population control policies. The organization highlighted that many Hindu families have consciously reduced their family size, and the new incentive should specifically support Hindus to counter this trend.
Declining Hindu Birth Rates
According to the VHP, the declining birth rate among Hindus is a matter of concern. The group argued that while other communities continue to grow, Hindus have been disproportionately affected by family planning initiatives. The VHP believes that the government's new policy should aim to reverse this decline by offering targeted financial support to Hindu families.
Government's Announcement
Chief Minister Naidu had announced the incentives as part of a broader initiative to address demographic challenges in the state. The scheme offers Rs 30,000 for the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth child, aiming to encourage larger families. However, the VHP's demand introduces a religious dimension to the policy, which could spark debate.
Reactions and Implications
The demand has drawn mixed reactions. Some support the VHP's view, citing the need to preserve Hindu demographic strength, while others criticize it as divisive. The state government has yet to respond to the VHP's demand. The decision could have significant implications for social harmony and policy implementation in Andhra Pradesh.
About the Author: Sri Krishna Kummara is a Senior Digital Content Creator at The Times of India-Vijayawada. He covers developments related to VMC, Medical & Health, Transport, Metro, APSRTC, Railway, and Airport stories. He holds a graduate degree in BA with Journalism, Psychology, and Literature as core subjects.
