Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has made a significant public appeal regarding family planning, urging the state's Hindu community to reconsider family size in light of shifting demographic patterns. Speaking to journalists in Sarbhog, lower Assam, on Tuesday, the CM highlighted concerns over differing birth rates across communities.
CM's Direct Appeal on Family Size
Himanta Biswa Sarma explicitly requested Hindu families to aim for at least two children, and three if possible. He based this appeal on observed demographic data, noting a higher childbirth rate in certain minority areas compared to a gradual decline among the Hindu population. "That's why we tell the Hindu people not to stop at 1 child. They should give birth to at least two children. Those who can, give birth to even three children," Sarma stated during the interaction.
The Chief Minister warned that if Hindus adopt a strict single-child policy, it could lead to future challenges in sustaining families. Simultaneously, he directed an appeal to the Muslim community, advising against having "eight or seven children," advocating for more moderate family planning.
Context: Recent Relaxations in Assam's Two-Child Policy
This appeal comes against the backdrop of recent amendments to Assam's stringent population norms. In December, the state government amended its Population and Women Empowerment Policy of 2017 to provide relaxations for specific groups.
As per a notification from the state health and family welfare department issued on December 5, members of the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), tea garden workers, and the Moran and Matak communities are now eligible for government jobs, contesting elections, and receiving self-help group incentives even if they have three children. This decision was initially taken by the state cabinet in October.
CM Sarma had earlier justified this exemption, stating it was essential to safeguard these vulnerable groups from potential demographic decline. The core two-child policy, however, remains in effect for other communities, especially in contests for gaon panchayat elections following a 2018 amendment.
The Foundation of Assam's Population Policy
The current discourse stems from the Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam, 2017, which first introduced the two-child norm in the state. This policy was later operationalized through the Assam Public Services (Application of Small Family Norms in Direct Recruitment) Rules, 2019, which came into force from January 2021.
The Chief Minister's recent statements have ignited a fresh debate on population control, community-specific policies, and the state's long-term demographic strategy, placing family planning firmly back in the public and political spotlight in Assam.
