New Delhi – The statement by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on live-in relationships has once again intensified social debate. He said that while today’s youth are entering into relationships like live-ins, they are not prepared to fulfill the responsibilities associated with them. Bhagwat’s statement is being viewed in the context of the Indian social structure, family system, and the mindset of the youth.

The chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, says that people in live-in relationships are not ready to take responsibility. He stated that family and marriage are not merely a means for physical satisfaction. They are a unit of society.

Bhagwat further said that the family is the place where a person learns to live in society. People’s values come from there. He made these remarks at an RSS event in Kolkata.

Speaking about family, Bhagwat said there is no fixed formula for determining the age of marriage. However, research indicates that marriage can take place between the ages of 19 and 25.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral (Retired) D.K. Joshi, were also present at the event.

Key points from Bhagwat’s statement…

  • How many children one should have is decided within the family—by the husband, wife, and society. No formula can be prescribed. I have gained some knowledge by speaking with doctors and others, and they say that if marriage happens early, between the ages of 19-25, and there are three children, then the health of both parents and children remains good.
  • The Indian population has not been managed effectively. We have not managed the population effectively. Population is a burden, but it is also an asset.
  • We should formulate a policy based on a 50-year projection, taking into account our country’s environment, infrastructure, facilities, the status of women, their health, and the needs of the nation.
  • Demographers say that if the birth rate falls below three, the population is declining, and if it falls below 2.1, it is dangerous. Currently, we are at 2.1 only because of Bihar; otherwise, our rate is 1.9.

Following this statement, sharp reactions were seen on social media and in intellectual circles. Some people supported Bhagwat’s views, saying that live-in relationships involve greater emotional insecurity and instability. On the other hand, many termed it an interference in personal freedom, stating that the definition of relationships is also changing with the times.

From a legal perspective, live-in relationships have been granted a degree of recognition by the Supreme Court of India, particularly in the context of women’s rights and protection. Despite this, social acceptance remains a major issue. Bhagwat’s statement highlights this social discomfort and cultural clash.

Overall, Mohan Bhagwat’s statement on live-in relationships is not merely one individual’s opinion but part of a larger debate ongoing in Indian society, where a balance is being sought between modern lifestyles and traditional values.

New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital city of India, officially inaugurated in 1931 as the new seat of the British Indian government, replacing Calcutta. It was designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, featuring wide boulevards and grand colonial-era buildings like the Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate. Today, it serves as the political and administrative heart of the country, housing key government institutions and historical monuments that reflect both its imperial past and modern Indian sovereignty.

Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of India’s West Bengal state and was the capital of British India until 1911. Founded as a trading post by the British East India Company in 1690, it grew into a major colonial port and a historic center for Indian art, literature, and the 19th-century Bengal Renaissance. Today, it is a bustling metropolis renowned for its colonial architecture, vibrant cultural festivals like Durga Puja, and as the home of iconic figures such as Rabindranath Tagore.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a remote archipelago of over 500 islands in the Bay of Bengal, known for their pristine beaches, tropical rainforests, and indigenous tribes like the Jarawa and Sentinelese. Historically, the islands were used as a British penal colony in the 19th century, most infamously at Cellular Jail in Port Blair, before becoming a union territory of India after independence. Today, they are a significant strategic location for India and a popular ecotourism destination.

Bihar

Bihar is a state in northeastern India, historically renowned as the ancient center of the powerful Magadha Empire and the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism. It was home to the ancient universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila, which were among the world’s first residential universities and major centers of learning from the 5th to 12th centuries. Today, it remains a region of immense historical and religious significance, featuring key pilgrimage sites like Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court of India, established on January 28, 1950, succeeded the Federal Court of India from the colonial era and began functioning in the Parliament House before moving to its current purpose-built building in 1958. As the highest judicial authority and the final court of appeal under the Constitution of India, it safeguards fundamental rights and ensures the uniform interpretation and application of law across the nation. Its history is integral to India’s democratic framework, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s legal landscape through landmark judgments on civil liberties, constitutional law, and social justice.