Chennai, India — In a bold and humorous address at a mass wedding ceremony hosted by the Tamil Nadu Government's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department (HR&CE), Chief Minister MK Stalin stirred the pot of demographic discourse by calling for larger families. This comments come on the heels of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's recent appeal to young couples to consider having more children, as the youth population in southern states is reportedly shrinking. "Why shouldn't a couple have 16 children?" Stalin posed jokingly during the ceremony, emphasizing his concern that the low population growth in southern states could lead to diminished representation in Parliament after the impending delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.
The mass wedding, held in Chennai on Monday, saw 31 couples tie the knot, underscoring the state's commitment to supporting families and marriage. In his speech, Stalin reflected on the changing nature of blessings given to newlyweds, noting that traditionally, couples were blessed with 16 types of wealth and prosperity—a number he whimsically suggested could also correlate with family size. Stalin’s remarks echo Naidu's earlier statements advocating for increased birth rates, which included discussions about a potential law that would allow only those with more than two children to contest local body elections.
The backdrop of these comments is the anticipated delimitation process, which could significantly alter the political landscape, particularly affecting representation for states with lower population growth. With the population dynamics becoming a focal point of political strategy, Stalin's call for larger families not only addresses demographic concerns but also seeks to energize public discourse around family planning and representation in governance. As Tamil Nadu continues to navigate these complex issues, the dialogue initiated by its leaders highlights the intertwined nature of demographics and political power in the region.
