RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's call for Hindus to adopt the three-child norm has triggered a multi-faceted debate in India involving demographic, social and moral considerations.

Due to Hindu Muslim politics, one side is constantly advising Hindus to take concrete steps towards increasing family size otherwise in the next fifty years the minorities will become the majority and the balance will be disturbed.

Read in Hindi: धर्म या विकास..? तीन-बच्चों के ‘आह्वान’ का स्वागत करें या विरोध..!

The young generation of Hindus is a supporter of late marriage, live-in relationships, nuclear families, no-child marriage, one-child families, and gender equality. Educated young Hindus are supporters of good lifestyles and freedom, autonomy, and privacy. On the other hand, the minority community is against all these modern ideas.

There is another reason for Bhagwat's concern. Supporters suggest that the RSS policy could address concerns about an ageing population and labour shortages. However, the implications and long-term consequences of such a norm could also be far-reaching, especially when two nations still appear to be running in one country.

The danger is that the pressure to advocate for large families could undermine the process of women’s empowerment. Historically, Indian society has struggled with gender inequalities, and a three-child mandate could exacerbate these issues by pressuring women into traditional roles centred around childbearing and motherhood.

Rather than strengthening family units, this initiative could undermine women’s autonomy and aspirations in education and careers. Empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health is essential; without this, mandated increases in family size could increase health risks and put economic strain on families.

Beyond women’s empowerment, the economic implications cannot be ignored, says activist Padmini Iyer. Currently, many families face challenges in providing quality education and healthcare for their children.

Encouraging larger families without addressing the root causes of these economic pressures can lead to resource scarcity, deteriorating living standards, and increased child poverty rates. The question arises: will larger families lead to better outcomes for children, or will it reduce the quality of life for all?

India’s rapid population growth requires a balance between population dynamics and resource management. If families are encouraged or forced to have more children without parallel investments in sustainable development, issues such as environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and strained public services can get worse, says social scientist prof Paras Nath Choudhary.

Policymakers must consider how increasing population pressures can affect everything from water resources to health care systems. To create an environment conducive to responsible family planning, investments should focus on education, especially for women, health care access, and economic empowerment. Policies aimed only at increasing numbers risk neglecting the broader well-being of citizens, creating a cycle of socio-economic challenges, according to social activist Mukta Gupta.

Countries facing similar pressures have often moved toward stabilization through education and women's empowerment rather than mandates for large families. Research consistently supports a link between women's educational attainment and lower fertility rates.

While the idea of ​​encouraging large families among Hindus may stem from demographic concerns, the implications of such a policy are complex and multifaceted.

Focusing on the three-child norm may inadvertently undermine women's empowerment, put pressure on existing resources, and foster social divisions.