A comment by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has sparked renewed debate over population trends and their political consequences in southern India. This comes after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu urged families to have more children to counter the effects of an ageing population. The issue brings the discussion of delimitation the redrawing of constituency boundaries into the spotlight, as states with lower populations may see a reduction in political representation.
While speaking at a mass wedding ceremony in Chennai on Monday, organized by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, Stalin reflected on how wedding blessings have evolved. He referenced an old Tamil saying from Manamakkalukku, which lists 16 types of wealth, including children, education, and land. With a playful tone, Stalin suggested that, given the possible reduction of parliamentary seats due to lower population growth, newlyweds could “aim for 16 children.”
Naidu’s Warning About an Ageing Population
Two days earlier, Naidu addressed the potential risks posed by Andhra Pradesh’s ageing population. During a public speech, he mentioned that his government is considering legislation to incentivize families to have more children, reversing earlier population control policies. Naidu expressed concern over the growing number of elderly people in the region, comparing the situation to countries like Japan, China, and parts of Europe, where ageing populations outnumber the youth. He pointed out that the fertility rate in southern states, at 1.6, is well below the national average, and warned that this demographic shift could strain the region’s economy.
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Political Ramifications of Declining Populations
Naidu’s remarks resonate with broader concerns in southern states about the political impact of shrinking populations. If the upcoming delimitation process, set to follow the next Census, adjusts constituency boundaries based on population size, states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh could see a reduction in Lok Sabha seats. The DMK has also raised concerns in Parliament, arguing that basing Central fund allocation on population numbers “punishes” southern states that have successfully curbed population growth.
Prime Minister Modi’s Population Control Message
This discussion follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for population control during his 2019 Independence Day speech. Modi warned of the dangers of a population explosion, noting that it could cause problems for future generations. He praised families who consciously limit the number of children they have, describing this as an act of patriotism, and stressed the need for greater awareness on the issue.
