Punjab BJP state general secretary Jagmohan Singh Raju has urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to introduce financial incentives for Sikh couples to encourage larger families, citing concerns over the declining Sikh population in the state.
In a letter to the Punjab government, Raju suggested a policy similar to the one recently announced by the Andhra Pradesh government, which offers financial support for the birth of a third and fourth child.
“Every Sikh family in Punjab should have four children,” Raju said, while stressing that the proposal was aimed at preserving Sikh culture and demographics.
‘Sikh Population Is Continuously Declining’
In his letter, Raju said the Sikh community, a constitutionally recognised minority in India, has the lowest fertility rate among the country’s major religious groups, according to National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data.
He expressed concern over the decline in the Sikh population share in Punjab, saying it had fallen from 62.95 per cent in 1991 to 57.69 per cent in the 2011 Census.
“This demographic decline is a serious matter of concern for the social and cultural future of the Sikh community in Punjab,” he wrote.
Raju argued that immediate steps were needed to reverse the trend and called for financial support to young Sikh couples to encourage larger families.
Inspired by Andhra Pradesh Population Policy
The BJP leader’s appeal comes a day after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a population incentive scheme aimed at addressing falling fertility rates.
Under the proposed policy, families would receive ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child. The detailed guidelines for the scheme are yet to be announced.
Referring to the Andhra model, Raju said Punjab should consider a similar approach to preserve the “social, cultural and demographic strength” of the Sikh community.
“Such a step would help preserve the social, cultural and demographic strength of the Sikh community, a patriotic community that has made exceptional contributions to India’s freedom struggle, defence, agriculture and national development,” he said.
‘Personal Opinion, Not BJP’s Official Stand’
When contacted, Raju clarified that the suggestion reflected his personal opinion and not the official position of the BJP.
“This is my personal opinion and not of the party. The demography of Punjab is changing fast, and the Sikh community should increase its population to preserve culture and heritage,” he said.
He also referred to debates around population trends in southern states and said demographic concerns should be addressed based on changing realities.
