Govt forms a high-level committee to address unnatural demographic change caused by illegal infiltration, focusing on national security, tribal land protection, social balance, and population shifts across India under the leadership of retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar.
A high-level committee has been officially constituted by the central government to examine and address what it describes as “unnatural demographic change” caused by illegal infiltration and other related factors across India. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who said the issue poses a serious challenge to the nation’s future, security, and social stability.
The committee was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on August 15, 2025. During the speech, the Prime Minister had warned that illegal infiltrators threaten the livelihoods of Indian citizens and endanger tribal communities by allegedly occupying their land and resources.
According to the Home Minister, the newly formed “High-Level Committee on Demographic Change” will carry out a nationwide assessment of demographic changes believed to be linked to illegal immigration and other “unnatural causes.” The panel will also study patterns of population shifts among various religious and social groups and recommend structured, time-bound solutions to address emerging concerns.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Shah emphasized that demographic imbalance is not merely a statistical issue but one closely connected to national sovereignty, law and order, and internal security. He further noted that rapid and abnormal demographic shifts could deeply affect social structures and the preservation of tribal identity and culture in vulnerable regions.
The committee will be chaired by retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar and will include several senior former officials and experts. Among the members are retired IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra, retired IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, noted economist Dr. Shamika Ravi, and the Census Commissioner of India. The Joint Secretary handling the Foreigners-I division in the Ministry of Home Affairs will serve as the Member Secretary of the panel.
Government sources indicated that the committee is expected to collect data from multiple states, examine population trends over several decades, and identify regions witnessing unusually high demographic changes. The panel may also coordinate with state governments, census authorities, border security agencies, and intelligence departments to compile detailed reports.
The formation of the committee comes amid continuing political debate over illegal immigration and border management in several parts of the country, particularly in border states and tribal-dominated regions. The issue has remained politically sensitive due to concerns over citizenship, employment opportunities, land ownership, and pressure on public resources.
During his Independence Day speech last year, Modi had strongly stated that the government would not allow infiltrators to “grab the land of tribals” or threaten the security of the nation. He had argued that unchecked infiltration not only alters demographic patterns but also impacts employment opportunities for local youth and creates long-term social tensions.
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The committee is expected to submit recommendations aimed at strengthening demographic monitoring mechanisms and improving coordination between central and state agencies. While the government has projected the initiative as a necessary step to safeguard national interests, opposition parties and civil society groups are likely to closely watch the panel’s findings and proposed measures in the coming months.
