UP CM Adityanath meets RSS chief Bhagwat; population issue 'discussed', say sources
Prayagraj (UP), Oct 20: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday met RSS head Mohan Bhagwat here, with the two leaders learnt to have discussed the population issue.
According to sources, Chief Minister Adityanath flew from Lucknow to meet Bhagwat and the two were together for about an hour.
The two had lunch together after which the CM returned, they said, adding that both discussed the population issue. Adityanath also invited the RSS chief to Deepotsav at Ayodhya on October 23.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Dattatreya Hosabale had on Wednesday said religious conversion and migration from Bangladesh were causing "population imbalance" and called for strict implementation of anti-conversion laws.
Bhagwat had attended an RSS meet here from October 16 to 19 in which the population problem was discussed.
The Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission had last year submitted to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath a draft population control bill and made a slew of recommendations, including additional incentives to public servants for adopting the one-child norm and banning those who violate the two-child policy from contesting local bodies polls.
The recommendations were made in the 19th report on Population Control, Stabilisation and Welfare. The report along with the draft Uttar Pradesh Population Control, Stabilisation and Welfare Bill, 2021 was handed over to the CM. But, no further action was initiated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said whatever issue the RSS raises is always in the interest of the nation and added its concern over population problem would get support of the nation.
When asked by the media in Lucknow if the government will bring a policy on the issue of population control, Maurya said, "We will have to wait for what the government will do once a meeting is held over it. What I am saying is my personal opinion."
"The number of people opposing this issue is very small. Even among them the good people are in support. See, problems will appear if 100 people start living in a house made for 10 people," he added.
A few months ago, Adityanath had said population control programmes must not lead to an "imbalance" by focusing on "native" residents while the growth rate of some community remains high, a possible reference to Muslims.
He said "population stabilisation" should be uniform across different sections of people, and expressed concern over the likelihood of "anarchy" at some point if there are "imbalances" in a country.
"It should not happen that the speed of population growth or the percentage of some community is high and we stabilise the population of the 'moolniwasi' (natives) through awareness or enforcement," he had said.
Such situation could have an adverse impact on religious demography and after some time "disorder" (avayvastha) and "anarchy" (arajakta) could begin in that country, the CM had said.
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Northeast now defined by opportunity, not distance from Delhi: Radhakrishnan
Aizawl (PTI): Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday asserted that the Northeast is no longer defined by its geographical distance from the national capital, but by its proximity to new economic opportunities.
Addressing the 20th convocation of the Mizoram University (MZU) here, the Vice President noted the shift in the region's development narrative over the last decade and credited the Centre's focus on the 'Act East' policy.
He said that infrastructure milestones, such as the recently inaugurated Bairabi-Sairang railway line, alongside central schemes such as UDAN (regional connectivity) and PM-DevINE, are successfully integrating the region into the national mainstream.
Congratulating the graduating students, Radhakrishnan urged them to view themselves as the "architects of Viksit Bharat (developed India)".
He remarked that the university, situated in the scenic hills of Aizawl, stands as a testament to the transformative power of education when rooted in peace and purpose.
"The youth of the Northeast must look beyond seeking employment and instead focus on creating it," the Vice President said.
He identified tourism, bamboo-based industries, organic agriculture, handicrafts, and digital services as key sectors where the region holds a competitive global advantage.
Addressing social challenges, Radhakrishnan expressed grave concern over the "menace of drug abuse" among the youth.
He called for a disciplined and purposeful lifestyle, urging the graduating students to lead the fight against substance abuse in their communities.
He advised the responsible use of social media and urged the youth to harness digital tools for social good rather than falling prey to their distractions.
Radhakrishnan also lauded Mizoram's environmental consciousness and the university's initiative to operate substantially on solar energy.
The event was also attended by Mizoram Governor and Chief Rector of MZU, Vijay Kumar Singh, Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Vice Chancellor Professor Dibakar Chandra Deka.
