Gaya erupted in controversy Saturday when Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi took a stand against narrow-mindedness on population issues, directly countering Bageshwar Baba’s provocative appeal for larger families.
Speaking to reporters, Manjhi dismissed fears of overpopulation. ‘People aren’t born merely to fill their stomachs,’ he said. ‘They come with hands for labor and brains for innovation. Who knows which child will become a great leader?’
The minister referenced India’s golden past: ‘When our population was huge in ancient times, the world called us Vishwa Guru. No one panicked then.’ Today, with 140 crore citizens, the key lies in jobs, good governance, and nurturing talent.
Manjhi clarified he’s not pushing for uncontrolled births but stressed investing in education and skills to turn population into power. His comments, amid RSS’s known stance on Hindu demographics, have Bihar’s political landscape buzzing.
Critics question if this dilutes family planning efforts, but supporters see it as a call to empower, not alarm. As debates rage, Manjhi’s vision challenges India to rethink its demographic destiny.
