Government to Launch National Mission to Counter 'Demographic Change'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of a high-powered 'demographic mission' to address what he described as a "pre-meditated conspiracy" of illegal infiltration aimed at changing India's demography. Speaking from the Red Fort, he warned that such changes, especially in border areas, create a national security crisis, sow social tension, and affect the country's unity and progress. The mission will be tasked with tackling this issue within a set timeframe, asserting that no nation can tolerate intruders.
Unpacked:
Concerns about illegal infiltration, especially from Bangladesh and Myanmar, have been longstanding in India. The government has conducted crackdowns on undocumented immigrants, citing threats to national security and local employment, particularly in border states like Assam and West Bengal. These concerns have fueled debates on citizenship and demographic change in recent years.
The demographic mission is expected to identify, monitor, and address illegal infiltration, with a focus on border areas. Strategies may include stricter border controls, documentation checks, and coordination with state governments to detect and deport undocumented immigrants, all within a defined timeframe.
Critics argue that such measures may lead to harassment of minority communities and genuine residents, and accuse the government of using the issue for political gain. There are also concerns about humanitarian implications and the accuracy of identifying illegal immigrants.
The government believes demographic shifts in border regions could alter voting patterns, increase competition for resources, and create vulnerabilities to cross-border crime or foreign influence, thereby threatening unity, security, and development.