RSS Chief on Cohabitation and Family Planning: ‘Unprepared to Assume Responsibility’

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Sunday questioned the idea of cohabitation, stating that those who opt for such arrangements are not prepared to take responsibility. He said this approach undermines the traditional family system, which he described as the foundation of society.

Speaking at a public event in Kolkata, Bhagwat emphasised that marriage and family play a much larger role in society than merely fulfilling physical needs.

“With reference to the idea of cohabitation, you’re not prepared to assume accountability. This is incorrect. Marriage and the family are not just about physical satisfaction. They are units of society. The family is where an individual learns how to live in society. People’s values come from there,” Bhagwat said.

#WATCH Kolkata, West Bengal: Mohan Bhagwat, Chief of the RSS, stated, “With regard to the idea of cohabitation, you’re not prepared to assume accountability. This is incorrect. Marriage and the family are more than just a means of physical satisfaction. It is a social unit. The family is essential.”

Bhagwat also shared his views on population-related issues, saying that decisions about the number of children should be left to families, couples, and society, rather than being governed by rigid rules.

Citing inputs he said he received from doctors, psychologists, and demographers, Bhagwat claimed that early marriages—between the ages of 19 and 25—and having three children were linked to better health outcomes and improved social balance.

“I have learned from discussions with doctors and other experts that if a couple marries young, between 19 and 25 years of age, and has three children, their health remains better. Psychologists say that having three children helps individuals learn how to control their ego. Demographers say that if the birth rate falls below three, the population starts declining, and if it goes below 2.1, it becomes dangerous,” the RSS chief said.

Bhagwat further stated that India’s current fertility rate of around 2.1 is largely influenced by Bihar, noting that many other states have already fallen below that level. He clarified that he was not an expert on family planning and was merely sharing information provided to him by others.

“Bihar is the only reason we are currently at 2.1; otherwise, our rate is around 1.9. I have been told this. I am an unmarried pracharak and do not have direct knowledge of this subject. I am sharing what has been conveyed to me,” he said.

On population policy, the RSS chief remarked that India has not managed its population effectively, describing it as both a burden and a potential asset.

“The population has not been properly managed. While population can be a burden, it can also be an asset. Factors such as the environment, infrastructure, available facilities, the status of women, their health, and the needs of the nation should all be considered while framing a policy based on a 50-year projection,” Bhagwat said.

Reiterating his point, he added that long-term planning is essential to balance population growth with national development, stressing that a well-thought-out strategy is necessary to address future challenges.