Uttarakhand BJP MLAs demand measures to control population

Two BJP legislators from Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district have demanded stern measures to control population growth in the country, calling it as “a threat to Hindi, Hindu and Hindustan”.

Lakshar MLA Sanjay Gupta and Haridwar rural legislator Swami Yatishwaranand, a saint-turned-politician, said they would put forth a proposal in the Uttarakhand assembly to press for population control.

If the population growth is not reined in, then the country will face the “threat of division owing to negative impacts”, Gupta said, pointing out high growth rate, particularly in a community.

“Population growth at such an alarming level will outdo development being witnessed in the country, particularly after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance came into power in 2014. Health, education, basic civic amenities, housing, water, power supply, infrastructure and employment will suffer to due to this,” Gupta said.

“It’s high time government took measures in this regard and all countrymen, irrespective of religion, should give it a serious thought.”

Last month Gupta had questioning chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat’s attendance at the marriage of former BSP legislator Mohammed Shahzad’s son. He later retracted his statement after a warning from the party high command.

Yatishwaranand said India’s population has increased from 36 crore at the time of independence to 130 crore. According to the 2017 revision of the World Population Prospects, the population stood at 1,324,171,354.

“How can we provide facilities and quality resources to our future generations? We all need to think on this aspect seriously” he said.

“Population is the major reason due to which we aren’t able to provide quality education, health and civic facilities to each citizen. No one should feel targeted, as this country is ours and resources are limited, besides all developed countries barring China are having population in the desired ratio.”

According to experts, India is expected to surpass China as the most populous country on the planet by 2024.

Yatishwaranand and Gupta had earlier this month came out in the open against the state government’s decision to construct a modern slaughterhouse at Manglore. After the opposition, the chief minister cancelled the project.

The two legislators are considered close to Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

First Published: Aug 24, 2018 00:55 IST