Centre Forms Panel on Demographic Change Headed by Ex-SC Judge

The Indian government has officially formed a High-Level Committee on Demographic Change to conduct a scientific study of demographic shifts, particularly those linked to illegal immigration and other "unnatural" factors across the country. This move, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is a direct follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address on Independence Day in 2025, where he first announced the intention to establish a high-powered demographic mission. The committee is tasked with a comprehensive assessment of the nature, causes, and consequences of these demographic changes, with a strong emphasis on national security and social stability. The committee will be chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar. Its members include prominent figures such as the Census Commissioner of India, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, former Bureau of Police Research and Development chief Balaji Srivastava, and economist Dr. Shamika Ravi, who is also a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) in the Ministry of Home Affairs will serve as the Member Secretary. The committee's terms of reference are extensive, encompassing the study of challenges arising from demographic changes, including illegal immigration, and exploring various causes such as fertility variations, cross-border movement, economic opportunities, and socio-environmental factors. It will specifically identify underlying drivers like "illegal immigration, abnormal settlement patterns, and orchestrated migration." A key objective is to analyze structural population changes at the level of religious or social communities, especially those that deviate from uniform trends. Furthermore, the committee is expected to recommend a comprehensive policy framework to enhance coordination between the Central and state governments on issues related to illegal immigration and resultant demographic imbalances. It will also suggest mechanisms for the legal, fair, and time-bound identification, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants. The panel has been granted the power to seek information and records from various government ministries, state governments, and public authorities. The committee is mandated to submit its report within one year from its constitution, with a provision for a six-month extension if necessary. Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that "unnatural demographic change" stemming from infiltration and other reasons constitutes a significant challenge to the present and future of any nation. He stated that this demographic change is a serious issue linked to sovereignty, national security, law and order, social structure, and the protection of tribal societies. The formation of this committee comes amid ongoing political discussions in India regarding demographic shifts, particularly in border regions and states with diverse communities. The decision has been widely reported by national media outlets, underscoring its importance in the current political and social discourse.

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