Not convincing

The inverted red triangle with Hum Do Hamare Do marked beside it was the most catchy slogan of Indias family planning programme. Notwithstanding the question mark on the extent of its effectiveness,it was a policy that based itself on incentives for couples and communities to help control population. But should there be punitive measures for those who do not conform to the two-child norm?

In Kerala,the Commission on Rights and Welfare of Women and Children,appointed by the state government and headed by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer,has proposed a fine of Rs 10,000 or a simple imprisonment of three months for any person or social or religious organisation engaged in any kind of campaigning against the two-child concept of the family welfare programme. Except during the dark days of the Emergency when men were forcibly sterilised,coercion has had little place in Indias population-control strategies. Indeed,that episode substantially set back this countrys family planning programme. Instead,a mix of advocacy and incentives has been used to control population growth,without directly curbing the right of an individual to determine the size of her family. In Keralas case,what has helped its remarkable demographic transition the percentage decadal growth rate of the state population in 2001-2011 is 4.86,compared to the countrywide estimate of 17.64 is a combination of high literacy rates,especially female literacy,widespread public consent on the benefits of family planning,easy availability of contraceptives and economic incentives for families who limit the number of their children.

The illiberal nature of the recommendations could create confrontation where none need exist. These have already made many Christian and Muslim organisations restive,and the state government says it will take a final view after seeking the opinion of a wide cross-section. The panel has also proposed incentives for women from the BPL category who marry after the age of 19 and have their first child after turning 20. With all evidence pointing to a direct link between womens empowerment and family planning,steps like these may be far more beneficial. Kerala should heed its own experience.