Jail Term as Birth Control

In an effort to contain Kerala’s population growth, a committee has recommended jail terms for couples with more than two children.

In an effort to contain Kerala’s population growth, a committee has recommended jail terms for couples with more than two children. The committee, headed by Justice VR Krishnayar, is of the opinion that the expectant father of a third child, or any person advocating more than two children, is liable to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 or go to jail for three months. The committee also suggests an incentive of Rs 5,000 to women who marry after the age of 19 and have their first child after 20. This incentive would keep Kerala’s fertility rate down. The recommendations have met with stiff resistance from Muslim and Christian organisations in Kerala. The Catholic Bishop Council calls them a violation of people’s basic democratic rights. Various Muslim scholars and organisations have warned the government against implementing these recommendations. Oommen Chandy, the Chief Minister, says that no hasty action would be taken in this regard. Ironically, Kerala has the lowest population growth rate in the country.

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Shahina KK