Telangana High Court Rejects Petition to Remove Two-Child Norm for Panchayat Elections

The Telangana High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the removal of the two-child norm for candidates contesting in Panchayat Raj institutions. The court also imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on the petitioner for misusing PIL provisions.

Court Stands by Two-Child Policy

A division bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, reviewed the petition filed by Avula Nagaraju but found no strong legal grounds to intervene.

The petitioner’s counsel, Anirudh Thimmaraju, argued that Section 21(3) of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act should be revoked, as it prevents individuals with more than two children from contesting elections for roles such as sarpanch.

Petitioner Cites Changing Demographics

The counsel pointed out that declining fertility rates and shrinking population groups necessitate a policy change. He referenced China’s recent shift to a three-child policy, arguing that India should consider a similar move.

However, the high court reminded the petitioner that the Supreme Court has already upheld the two-child rule, reinforcing that policy decisions fall under legislative authority rather than judicial review.

Personal Interest Over Public Interest?

The bench questioned the petitioner’s personal stance, asking about his family size. When it was revealed that he has three children, the court deemed the petition a personal grievance disguised as public interest.

In response, the court fined the petitioner ₹25,000, directing him to pay the amount to the High Court Legal Services Authority.

Conclusion

With this ruling, the Telangana High Court reaffirmed the validity of the two-child norm, maintaining its importance in local governance policies. Any changes, the court emphasized, must come from lawmakers, not the judiciary.