'Give unmarried people like me special consideration; don't let parents of 2+ children vote': Baba Ramdev's missive on population control

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday made a strong statement towards population control, expressing that people who get married and have more than two children should not have voting rights. In his statement, the face of Patanjali Ayurved also insisted on giving special treatment to those people who decide to not to get married, just like him.

“Is desh mein jo hamari tarah se vivah na kare unka vishesh samman hona chahiye, aur jo vivah kare, to do se jyada santaan paida kare to, uski voting right nahi honi chahiye (In this country, people who do not get married like me should be given special consideration, and for those who get married and have more than two kids should be debarred from giving votes in the country)," said Yoga Guru Ramdev.

He provided context for his statement:

"Ye to ek rajnitik issue hai, rashtriya issue hai. Lekin jab bharatiya jan parampara main, jan sankhya kam thi, tab zada santaan paida karne ki baat ki thi. 10 santaneein paida karne ki baat to Vedo main bhi kahi gayi hai. To jinka samarthaye ho, jinki aavashyakta ho wo kar lena. Lekin ab itni aabadi ho chuki h, to yaad rakhna, jab hum vote karte hain to political leadership hum change karte hai. Ek jagrit aatma lakho aur karoro par bhari padta hai,” Ramdev added, which translates to “This is a political issue, a national issue. However, when there was a time in the yesteryears when there was a dearth of children, then it was advised to give birth to more children. In fact, it was said in our Vedas also, to give birth to 10 children. So, who has the capacity and the need can do it. But, remember that the population has increased so much. When we vote, we change the political leadership. A vigilant man can overpower lakhs and crores of people.”  

Earlier, Baba Ramdev had also taken a stand on the Ram Mandir issue which has taken political centrestage in the country, expressing his support for an ordinance in the matter:

“Ordinance should come. Judiciary is taking its time. I am hoping that there will be some good news soon. If Supreme Court cannot gives a strong verdict, I have trust in the Parliament. If government takes initiative then no party will back from supporting it. No one should oppose it,” he had said.