Woman Charged Under Population Law While Expecting 15th Child
In a controversial case that has ignited national debate, Radha Devi, a 42-year-old mother from Uttar Pradesh, was charged under India’s strict population control laws just as she prepared to welcome her 15th child. The incident raises urgent questions about reproductive rights, poverty, and government policy in one of the world’s most populous nations.
The Family Behind the Headlines
Radha and her husband, Shyam Lal, are daily wage laborers from Barabanki district, struggling to support their 14 children—aged 22 years to just 11 months. Their story took a dramatic turn when local authorities invoked the Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilization, and Welfare) Bill, 2021, which restricts government benefits for families with more than two children and imposes penalties, including fines or jail time.
Critics argue the law targets the poor:
– No access: The couple lacked education and contraception resources.
– Economic reality: “More children mean more laborers for us,” Radha explained.
Legal Battle: Rights vs. Enforcement
While officials insist the law applies equally (“Rules are rules,” said District Magistrate Anil Kumar), activists call it punitive. Human rights lawyer Adv. Rohan Deshpande noted, “Charging her after 14 children reflects selective enforcement, not justice.”
Key criticisms:
– Marginalized communities bear the brunt.
– Systemic issues (healthcare, poverty) remain unaddressed.
Public Outcry and Polarized Reactions
The case trends online with hashtags like #JusticeForRadha, while supporters defend the law as necessary to curb resource depletion. A pro-government commentator argued, “Without limits, India faces water and food crises.”
The Root Issue: Poverty or Policy?
Demographers like Dr. Aparna Sen stress that coercion fails without education and healthcare:
– Rural India relies on children for labor and security.
– NGOs highlight Radha’s lack of family planning access.
What Happens Next?
With her 15th child due soon, Radha’s court hearing could set a precedent. NGOs are providing legal aid, and pressure mounts on Uttar Pradesh to reconsider the law’s impact on vulnerable families.
Is criminalizing large families the solution, or should India invest in education and healthcare? Share your views below.
— Reporting by NextMinuteNews
