September 27, 2011: Christians and Muslims of Southern India’s Kerala state have
condemned a proposed law aimed at controlling Kerala’s population, which envisages
a fine of 10,000 rupees (US$200) or three months in jail for having more than two
children. The Kerala Women’s Code Bill, drafted by a committee headed by former Supreme
Court Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, also recommends couples violating the two-child
norm be barred from receiving social benefits from the government. Another possible
clause would bar religious and political organisations from discouraging family planning.
The Kerala Catholic Bishop’s Council (KCBC) has called the draft “anti-democratic
and an infringement on the parental rights of the people.” This is the first time
an Indian state has recommended legal action against big families. Kerala’s 33.3 million
people account for less than four percent of India’s total population of 1.21 billion. KCBC
spokesman Father Stephen Alathara said yesterday that the draft was an attempt to
“undermine family values and divide society along communal lines”. “We have been promoting
anti-abortion and encouraging people to have big families,” he said. A parish in
Wayanad district is now offering fixed-rate deposits of 10,000 rupees, held in the
name of the fifth child in a family that is born this year. The government however
is proposing cash incentives of 5,000 rupees to women who marry after the age of 19
and will recommend facilities for free and safe abortions. The Syro-Malabar Church,
which issued a pastoral letter last year appealing to the faithful to have more children,
described the draft as “draconian and anti-Church.” The Orthodox and Jacobite churches
have also condemned it. Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, the Catholicos of the Orthodox
Church based in Kottayam, warned the government of dire consequences if the bill is
passed. Muslim organizations are also angry. “It’s an attempt to curtail religious
freedom and faith. We will oppose it,” said Abdul Samad Pukkottur, of the state Sunni
Youth Federation. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said resentment against the draft law
is unwarranted. “Government will make a decision only after consulting with all groups.
We have taken note of the protests against the draft,” he added.