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Akal Takht urges Sikhs to have more children, cites declining population
The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs, has issued a call for Sikhs to have more children and marry at a prime reproductive age. The directive, reported by NDTV, is driven by concerns over the declining Sikh population in India.
According to census data and community surveys, the Sikh fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level, and migration of Sikhs abroad has also contributed to the demographic shift. The Akal Takht has urged Sikh families to consider having at least three children to sustain the community's numbers.
The Sikh clergy has also encouraged early marriage, advising Sikh youth to marry between the ages of 20 and 25. The directive has sparked discussions within the community about balancing religious obligations with modern economic realities.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Akal Takht's appeal reflects a demographic anxiety shared by several religious communities in India as the national fertility rate drops below replacement level. The 2011 census put Sikhs at 1.7% of India's population, down from 1.9% in 2001. Migration of skilled Sikh youth to Canada, the UK, and Australia accelerates this decline. The directive carries moral authority but no enforcement mechanism, adherence depends on individual family decisions. The next census, expected by 2026, will show whether such calls have any measurable impact on community fertility trends.
Source: ndtv.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
