Does Promise Of Homes Justify Minister’s Call For Having More Kids?

During a recent public meeting in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Babulal Kharadi, the tribal development minister, stirred controversy by advocating for increased childbirth. Addressing the crowd, he expressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream that no one should go to bed hungry or without a roof over their head. Kharadi suggested that by having more children, individuals could benefit from government initiatives, including subsidized housing and gas cylinders.

This stance has sparked debate and raised eyebrows, prompting a closer reevaluation of the minister's comments.

The Minister's Proposition

Kharadi said that PM Modi dreams that no one in India goes to sleep with an empty stomach or without a roof on their head. He said, "It is a dream of the prime minister that no one should sleep hungry and without a roof over their head. You give birth to lots of children. Pradhan Mantriji will build your houses; then what is the problem?" In the meeting, Kharadi was mainly encouraging people to vote for Narendra Modi in the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls of 2024. 

While Kharadi's comments prompted laughter from the audience, they also ignited criticism and skepticism. The minister's unconventional stance, advocating for population growth as a solution to social issues, challenges conventional wisdom. As the leaders on the stage exchanged glances, it became evident that the proposal was met with mixed reactions.

While this notion may resonate with some, it raises critical questions about the holistic well-being of these children. The argument asserts that the promise of housing alone should be sufficient motivation for larger families, prompting us to scrutinize the factors that truly contribute to a child's well-rounded development. The minister's focus on housing overlooks essential aspects such as education, equal facilities and opportunities, financial resources, and the parents' capacity to effectively balance work and childcare responsibilities. These factors play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the children and, consequently, the nation.

Who is Babulal Kharadi?

Babulal Kharadi, elected as an MLA for the fourth time in the 2023 assembly polls from Jhadol constituency, emphasized his point by sharing his personal experience. With eight children from two wives, he lives with his entire family in Neechla Thala village, Udaipur. His entire family lives in Neechla Thala village, a few kilometres away from Kotda Tehsil in Udaipur. Surprisingly, in 2022, he was declared the best MLA during the 15th Rajasthan Assembly Polls.

Do you think the minister's statement makes any sense? Should people have more children? Will it help our country's ecosystem? Should a leader turn himself blind to the raging issues of the country, including the rise in population, just to perform an election gimmick for his party?  And is it even fair for someone else to decide whether people should have kids or not?