Wed Dec 04 14:40:51 UTC 2024: ## Swadeshi Jagran Manch Echoes RSS Concerns Over Falling Birth Rate

**NEW DELHI, December 4, 2024** – The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), has voiced alarm over India’s declining birth rate, echoing recent warnings from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. SJM co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan highlighted the potential economic repercussions of a shrinking population, stating that a failure to address this issue could create a dangerous demographic imbalance and hinder India’s development.

Mahajan cited a Lancet report showing India’s total fertility rate (TFR) plummeted to 1.91 in 2021, projecting a further decline to 1.29 by 2050. He compared this to the 6.18 TFR in 1950, emphasizing the need for urgent action to avoid a situation similar to that faced by countries like South Korea, Japan, and Germany, which are grappling with the consequences of extremely low birth rates.

While acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previous statements on managing population growth challenges, Mahajan argued that a rising population is no longer solely a burden. He attributed this shift to improved healthcare, particularly reduced infant mortality rates, which contribute to a larger demographic dividend. However, he stressed that these gains are insufficient if the fertility rate falls below replacement levels. The SJM, he added, passed a resolution on this issue at its National Council meeting in June. Mahajan urged a thorough study of the potential societal costs associated with a declining TFR.

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