VHP Urges Naidu Govt To Reserve Third, Fourth Child Incentives For Hindus In Andhra Pradesh
VHP Urges Naidu Govt To Reserve Third, Fourth Child Incentives For Hindus In Andhra Pradesh Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 10:12 IST The
VHP Urges Naidu Govt To Reserve Third, Fourth Child Incentives For Hindus In Andhra Pradesh Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 10:12 IST The VHP has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to restrict newly announced population-growth incentives only to Hindu families, according to a report. A file photo of N Chandrababu Naidu (PTI) The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliate Vishwa Hindu Parishad has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government restrict its newly announced monetary incentives for larger families only to Hindu couples, arguing that extending the benefits to all communities could alter the state’s demographic balance. The demand comes days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced cash incentives for families having a third and fourth child as part of the state government’s efforts to address declining population growth. Naidu said families would receive Rs 30,000 for the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth child. Speaking at a public meeting in Narsannapeta in Srikakulam district, the Chief Minister said population growth was declining, and children should be seen as “the nation’s wealth, not a burden." “Population growth is declining. Children should be viewed as the nation’s wealth, not a burden.
The government would provide Rs 30,000 for families on the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for the birth of a fourth child, as part of efforts to encourage population growth," Naidu said. VHP RAISES DEMOGRAPHIC CONCERNS Reacting to the announcement, VHP Bhagyanagar Kshetram secretary Tanikella Satya Ravikumar told ThePrint that the benefits should be limited to Hindu families because, according to him, Hindus in southern states had reduced family sizes in response to earlier population control campaigns. “When the central government under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked states to control population growth during the Emergency, data clearly show that South Indian states, and particularly Hindus, implemented the directive." “Conversely, the Muslim population continues to grow because India’s Muslims failed to be part of this plan, and the Christian population has grown because of conversion. So, the government incentives should be earmarked for communities whose family sizes have reduced," Ravikumar said, according to ThePrint. The remarks have added a communal dimension to the ongoing debate over Andhra Pradesh’s proposed population policy, which has already drawn mixed political reactions. POLITICAL DEBATE OVER POPULATION POLICY The Andhra Pradesh government’s proposal has triggered sharp reactions from leaders across parties, with supporters describing it as a long-term demographic and economic strategy, while critics questioned its feasibility amid concerns over unemployment and the state’s finances.
TDP Spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhiram defended the move, saying many Indian states were witnessing declining fertility rates. “The national average of TFR is around 2 per cent. More than 75 per cent of the states in the country are suffering from low fertility ratios, which is very dangerous for the future," Pattabhiram said. He added that the financial assistance scheme was intended to improve falling fertility ratios in Andhra Pradesh. TDP spokesperson Deepak Reddy also backed the initiative and described Naidu as a “visionary leader" for recognising long-term demographic challenges early. According to ANI, citing the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office, Reddy said the state’s Total Fertility Rate had fallen to nearly 1.5 and warned that population decline could create future economic and political challenges, including a possible reduction in parliamentary representation after delimitation. OPPOSITION QUESTIONS FEASIBILITY Opposition leaders, however, questioned whether the government would be able to implement the promised incentives. YSRCP spokesperson Konda Rajiv Gandhi alleged that the state’s financial condition made such promises unrealistic. “The financial system and governance have completely collapsed, debts are mounting, and unemployment is at its peak. Based on these situations, it is clear that fulfilling the promise of Rs 30,000 for the third child and Rs 40,000 for the fourth child is highly impossible," he said.
Congress leader Udit Raj said population-related concerns required broader legislative action and argued that southern states feared losing parliamentary representation because of declining populations. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad said population growth should be managed through industrial development and employment generation, while party MP Shivpal Singh Patel maintained that population control measures were necessary because the rising population remained a major challenge for India. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 19, 2026, 10:11 IST News india VHP Urges Naidu Govt To Reserve Third, Fourth Child Incentives For Hindus In Andhra Pradesh Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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