Advocate Rapolu Bhaskar has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Three-Child Policy implemented in the Panchayati Raj system, which disqualifies individuals with more than three children from contesting elections for local governance. Bhaskar argued that the policy infringes upon the constitutional rights of individuals, disproportionately affects marginalized communities, and undermines democratic participation.
In his petition, Bhaskar highlighted that the policy, initially introduced to promote population control, is now outdated given the significant decline in fertility rates across India. He argued that the policy unfairly penalizes individuals for personal decisions regarding family size and disproportionately impacts women, particularly in rural areas, where family planning choices are often influenced by socio-cultural and economic factors beyond their control.
Bhaskar also pointed out that the policy has created barriers for competent and qualified individuals who wish to serve in local governance but are excluded due to the size of their families. This exclusion limits the pool of candidates available to serve in Panchayati Raj institutions, which are critical for grassroots democracy and development.
Further, the PIL emphasized that such policies can inadvertently encourage practices such as concealing births or not registering children officially, which undermines child rights and the integrity of civil registration systems. Bhaskar argued that a more progressive approach, focusing on education, healthcare, and voluntary family planning programs, would be far more effective in addressing population concerns than punitive measures.
Advocate Bhaskar urged the court to strike down the Three-Child Policy as unconstitutional and inconsistent with the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and democratic participation enshrined in the Constitution of India. He called for the adoption of inclusive policies that respect individual rights while promoting sustainable development and participatory governance in the Panchayati Raj system.