Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced the formation of a high-level committee by the central government to examine demographic changes in the country resulting from illegal immigration and other unnatural causes. In a post on X, Shah stated that unnatural demographic change due to infiltration and other reasons poses a significant challenge to the present and future of any nation.
Committee formation follows PM Modi's announcement
The committee was formed following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on August 15, 2025, regarding the creation of a high-level committee on demographic change. According to Shah, the panel will be chaired by retired judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar and will include Census Commissioner, former IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra, former IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, and economist Dr. Shamika Ravi as members. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) in the Ministry of Home Affairs will serve as the member secretary of the committee.
Comprehensive assessment of demographic shifts
Shah said the panel would conduct a comprehensive assessment of demographic changes taking place across India due to illegal immigration and other unnatural causes. He added that the committee would analyze patterns of abnormal population shifts at the levels of religious and social communities and recommend a structured and time-bound solution.
National security implications
In his X post, Shah described demographic change as a serious issue linked to sovereignty, national security, and law and order. He also noted that the issue has implications for profound shifts in social structures and the preservation of tribal societies. The announcement comes months after PM Modi, during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, warned about what he described as a premeditated conspiracy to alter India's demography through illegal infiltration.
PM Modi's demographic mission
PM Modi had announced a high-powered demographic mission on August 15, 2025, stating that infiltrators were creating a new crisis for the country. He said, 'These infiltrators are snatching the bread and butter of our youth. These infiltrators are targeting our country's daughters and sisters. This will not be tolerated.' The Prime Minister also linked demographic changes to national security and social stability, emphasizing that no nation can hand itself over to infiltrators. The newly constituted panel is expected to examine the issue and submit recommendations within a defined timeframe.
