Devkinandan Thakur pushes population control law:Says only education, healthcare should be free; urges fair exams, jobs for youth

Religious preacher Devkinandan Thakur has said that there should be one law for everyone in the country. He added that until a population control law is implemented, every Sanatani should have four children. Commenting on the NEET paper leak controversy, he said that in the digital era, things sometimes go wrong, but such incidents should not happen. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar after a Shrimad Bhagwat Katha event in Bhopal, Devkinandan Thakur shared his views on population control legislation, free education and healthcare, inflation, employment and the demand for a Sanatan Board. Responding to a question on inflation, he said he was not the Finance Minister, but believed the government should stop providing everything free of cost. According to him, only two services should be free — quality education and quality healthcare. Devkinandan said that young people should receive what they rightfully deserve. If no population control law, then every Sanatani should have 4 children Devkinandan Thakur said that when people live in one country, the law should be equal for all and everyone should enjoy the same rights. Those who believe in this principle deserve respect. He said that if the government is not implementing population control measures, Hindus should have four or five children. He added that he has been advocating the same position for the last five to seven years, maintaining that every Sanatani should have four children until a population control law is introduced. According to him, such a law is extremely important. In digital system things get misplaced here and there Asked about irregularities reported in NEET and various recruitment examinations, Devkinandan said that young people prepare for these exams with great expectations, and therefore the examination process must be completely fair and transparent. He noted that the government has tried to improve arrangements. He said security measures have also been strengthened at several locations. However, in digital systems, things sometimes go wrong, though such lapses should not occur. Those who are deserving should receive what they are entitled to. Examinations should be conducted properly and employment opportunities should follow. Youth need good exams and good jobs Devkinandan Thakur said that the two most important needs of India’s youth are a transparent examination system and employment opportunities. If a young person works hard and clears an examination, suitable job opportunities should also be available. He said that the future of the youth is the greatest strength of any nation. He added that he does not belong to any political party and does not advocate for any party. His belief is simply that young people should receive their due rights. Devkinandan said he neither belongs to any political party nor campaigns for one. Government should remove all free things Speaking on inflation and welfare measures, Devkinandan Thakur said that he is neither the Finance Minister nor the Railway Minister. He added that the government should prioritise decisions that provide genuine relief to citizens. According to him, the government should withdraw all free benefits except two — education and healthcare. Every child should be able to study as much as they wish without cost, and every sick person should have access to free medical treatment. He pointed out that several countries already provide such facilities and said India should not hesitate to adopt effective systems. Don’t imitate foreign countries only in wearing torn jeans Devkinandan said that Indians imitate foreign countries in wearing ripped jeans, visiting clubs and consuming alcohol, but fail to emulate them in education. He noted that children abroad receive equal educational opportunities and that poor people are often treated medically regardless of their financial status. He questioned why similar arrangements could not be implemented in India. According to him, good practices should be adopted from anywhere, while bad practices should not be copied even from one’s own home. Temples have so much money that no child will die from illness Devkinandan Thakur once again raised the demand for a Sanatan Board. He said that while temples exist across the country, there is no proper system to ensure that temple funds are utilised effectively. He argued that temple resources could be used for cow protection and children’s education. According to him, if one hospital were built in every city using temple funds, free treatment could be provided to everyone and no child would lose their life due to lack of medical care. He also said that poor families who are unable to support their daughters and sometimes convert religion due to economic hardship could be assisted using temple resources. Devkinandan stated that temple wealth does not belong to any individual but to the deity, and there could be no better use than serving people through those funds. For this reason, he said, a Sanatan Board is necessary. Read Devki Nandan Thakur’s old statements through graphics How Devaki Nandan Thakur became an accomplished preacher Devkinandan Thakur was born on September 12, 1978, in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. He belongs to a Brahmin family from Ohawa village near Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. His father is Rajveer Sharma and his mother is Anasuiya Devi. He was originally named Devkiprasad Sharma. He has recalled that when he was young, even public transport did not reach his village. To catch a bus, he and his family had to walk around six kilometres. His mother was a devoted follower of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. He also has four brothers and two sisters. At the age of six, he left home and moved to Vrindavan, where he joined a Braj Raslila institution. During Raslila performances, he portrayed Lord Krishna and Lord Ram. His performances as Lord Krishna earned him significant recognition. Memorized Srimad Bhagavata Purana at 13, Guru gave him the name According to media reports, Devkinandan had memorised the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana by the age of 13. He was initiated into the Nimbarka sect under the traditional guru-disciple system. His guru, Acharya Purushottam Sharan Shastri, gave him the name Devkinandan Thakur Maharaj. Owing to his talent and oratory skills, he was entrusted with reciting and narrating the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana. At the age of 18, he delivered discourses on the Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana at Shri Ram Mandir in Shahdara, Delhi. He later narrated stories of Lord Krishna and Lord Ram at various locations, steadily gaining followers. Since 2001, he has delivered discourses in countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Hong Kong. He also runs the World Peace Service Charitable Trust. According to its website, the organisation supports Sanskrit education, cow shelters, old-age homes, orphan welfare and social harmony initiatives. Yogi gave UP Ratna Award in 2015, millions of followers on social media For his charitable work, Devkinandan was honoured with the Uttar Pradesh Ratna Award in 2015. The award was presented to him by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He has also been conferred the title of Acharyendra by the Shri Brahmin Mahasangh and has received several other honours over the years. Devkinandan enjoys a large social media following, with millions of followers across various platforms.