Population control is one of the most acute problems that India is currently facing. While the use of contraceptives comes across as the obvious remedy, what other ways can humans counter the issue that is currently burdening the Earth’s fast-depleting resources? Mumbai’s Raphael Samuel seems to have an answer to it. He is an activist, who has been rooting for the concept of anti-natalism that is slowly gaining momentum across the country. The term anti-natalism ‘assigns a negative value to birth’. Raphael had filed a petition to find out how his parents had consent over him since birth without him voluntarily approving it. “Children across the country are being pressurised by their parents for various reasons. There are a lot of changes that we need to incorporate in our laws. Children — who are born and coerced into a certain style of living, education and profession — are tailored into living a life which is not theirs. And this is one of the main reasons that has made me become an anti-natalist. Not being accountable for your own actions when you’re wrong is a form of escapism. But being deprived of your own rights, even at a young age, is not right or necessary either,” he explains.Understanding the idea behind anti-natalismAnti-Natalism is the belief that physical procreation and the biological inclusion of more individuals in the human race is not positive. The followers of this concept cite how the process is harming the environment and destroying resources of the planet that are already depleting. The term is the opposite of natalism — the view that childbearing and biological parenthood are desirable for social reasons and should, therefore, be promoted. The idea, which emerged in the form of a belief initially, is now growing as the root of many initiatives and groups around the globe. A 2009 study, conducted by the Centre for Biological Diversity in Arizona, the US, said that the ‘carbon legacy’ of having just one child can produce 20 times more greenhouse gas than a person would save by driving a high-mileage car, recycling and using energy-efficient appliances, etc,. Bengaluru-based brand consultant Anugraha Kumar Sharma is an anti-natalist, who has been championing the cause for the past one year. Describing the concept, he says, “I am a full-fledged anti-natalist. This belief was not coerced to me, neither it is a trend yet. My perspective on the current scenario involving the environment as well as the social and political stance of our country and the world, makes my belief even stronger. Take a second and observe the world around you. Is the atmosphere even fit for a child to be raised? Would you want your child to be sick from the time of his/her birth with the ongoing environmental and social chaos worldwide? I wouldn’t want to regret his/her birth on seeing him/her struggle and suffer. We have the intelligence to actually curb our population and control it and, acting on it is the only way we can save our future generations.”Adopt a child instead of giving birth to one, they sayAccording to city-based social worker Pratima Naik, anti-natalism is one of the key methods for a better future. She is one of the individuals who believe that more physical procreation could lead to the extinction of the human race. “Anti-natalism is a good measure that we could take to prevent overpopulation. If we can follow the principle of neutering animals to prevent overpopulation, then why not do it for ourselves as well, when we have the intelligence to do so? We are well aware of the fact that adoption is a good option for raising a child or starting a family. So, does physically procreating another child make sense or does it have the same level of necessity in comparison to saving our future? That’s where I derive my point from. There are many people who don’t have children for many other reasons — some can’t, some want to focus on themselves, some can’t afford one financially and so on,” explains Pratima.The concept is not something I posed upon on anyoneAnother Bengalurean, Nagegowda Keelara Shivlingaih, who lives with his wife and daughter, says, “Societies in India have been so toxic and stereotypical that most of us see anti-natalism as an evil concept without even seeing the entire picture. My wife and I had our daughter as a result of societal, and partially, parental pressure. I love my kid and do not regret having her, but I will still be clear on my ideology. If she opposes my opinion after she grows up, I would be fine with that too. The great part about this thought process is that it is completely voluntary and it is not forced upon anyone.”Anti-natalism is easier in theory, but not useful in realityAbharna, assistant professor at Mount Carmel College, does not believe in anti-natalism as a solution. Emphasizing on how it does not contribute positively, she says, “As a mother of a son, when I hear of this concept, it does not bring me around to accepting that anti-natalism is the ultimate solution. You can reduce the planning to maybe one child per family and adoption is another wonderful option, but for people who want to have their own child, I don’t think they should hesitate.”Age groups and perspectives involved in anti-natalismMembers of collectives and organisations in India that are built on the concept of anti-natalism fall under various age groups, but usually begin from 28 and above. Anugraha, who is the co-founder of the Bengaluru-based group Child Free India, is 44 years old and his views are based on efilism, which is a pro-mortality belief. Pratima is 29 years old and shares the same belief as Anugraha. Alok Kumar is another 34-year-old anti-natalist from Delhi, who runs an online channel named Varjit Satya. The members of Child Free India also happen to be environmentalists, vegans and so on.