On January 24, 2025, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), made a bold statement during its two-day meeting of the Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal (Central Guidance Board) held at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The organization highlighted what it described as the decreasing birth rate of Hindu society, attributing it to the population imbalance within the community. The VHP urged Hindu families to take up the responsibility of raising at least three children to protect the existence of Hindu society.
The meeting, attended by prominent leaders, including Acharya Mahamandaleshwar (chief) of Juna Akhara Avdheshanand Giri, VHP President Alok Kumar, and Central General Secretary Bajrang Lal Bagda, provided a platform for addressing several key issues concerning the Hindu community.
Call for Higher Birth Rates and Family Responsibility
The VHP emphasized that the declining birth rate among Hindus has become a significant concern and asserted that increasing the birth rate was essential to maintaining a balanced population. The organization’s spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, stated, “As an important responsibility to protect the existence of Hindu society, at least three children should be born in every Hindu family.”
This statement aligns with the VHP’s larger vision of preserving Hindu cultural and social structures and ensuring that future generations maintain the community’s traditions and identity. The VHP’s appeal for larger families comes at a time when the organization has been actively campaigning for the protection and promotion of Hindu religious practices and values.
Nationwide Campaign to Free Temples from Government Control
In addition to its population-related statement, the VHP revealed that it had launched a nationwide campaign aimed at freeing Hindu temples from government control. The VHP spokesperson announced that the movement had gained momentum and now had the backing of the saints community. These religious leaders believe that all Hindu temples should be removed from the jurisdiction of government control. The VHP is calling for the repeal of laws that grant the government control over temples and for the management of these sacred sites to be handed over to devotees.
Bansal further commented on the support the VHP had garnered from the religious community, saying, “The revered saints of the Margdarshak Mandal have called for increasing the birth rate of Hindu society to maintain a balanced population and ensure its survival.”
Continued Commitment to Recover Temples of Significance
The VHP also reiterated its commitment to reclaiming key temples that hold religious significance for Hindus. The organization has been vocal about its efforts to regain control over temples such as those in Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kashi Vishwanath. Since 1984, the VHP has worked towards this goal, following a resolution passed during the Dharma Sansad (religious parliament). The organization emphasized that it would continue to pursue all necessary actions to recover these temples and ensure they are under Hindu control.
Support for Waqf Board Reforms
In another important development, the VHP’s Central Guidance Board expressed its support for the recent reforms in the Waqf Board Act proposed by the Union government. Bansal urged the Members of Parliament (MPs) across all political parties to cooperate in passing this Bill, which aims to regulate the unrestrained powers of the Waqf Board. The VHP sees this as a crucial step in ensuring that the functioning of Waqf properties remains transparent and accountable.
The VHP’s statements at the Prayagraj meeting reflect the organization’s broader agenda of asserting and protecting Hindu interests in various sectors, including religion, population growth, and cultural preservation. With campaigns focused on increasing birth rates, freeing temples from government control, and supporting legislative changes, the VHP is positioning itself as a key player in shaping the future of Hindu society in India. The organization’s call for larger families and its broader religious and political objectives continue to spark debate and discussions on the role of cultural preservation and community development in modern India.
