TNI Bureau: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has urged N. Chandrababu Naidu to restrict financial incentives for larger families only to Hindu couples in Andhra Pradesh.

The demand comes after the Andhra Pradesh government announced monetary support of Rs 30,000 for couples having a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth child to address the state’s declining fertility rate. Andhra Pradesh’s Total Fertility Rate has fallen to 1.5, below the replacement level of 2.1.

VHP leader Tanikella Satya Ravikumar said extending the benefits to all communities could alter the state’s demographic balance. He claimed that Hindu families had largely followed past population control measures, while population growth among Muslims and Christians had continued.

During the state Budget Session earlier this year, Chief Minister Naidu supported the idea of larger families and referred to remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat encouraging couples to have three children.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India National Secretary K. Narayana criticised the policy, calling it “irresponsible” and questioning how poor families could raise more children without stronger healthcare and education support.