Centre Sets Up High-Level Panel To Probe Demographic Changes Linked To Infiltration

New Delhi, May 27: The Centre has constituted a high-level committee to examine challenges arising from demographic changes caused by infiltration and other factors, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday.

In a social media post, Shah said the committee will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar.

The committee comprises the 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 Union Home Ministry will serve as the Member Secretary.

Shah said infiltration and other reasons were causing “unnatural demographic change”, posing a major challenge to the present and future of the country.

He said demographic change was a serious issue linked to sovereignty, national security, law and order, social structure and preservation of tribal society.

According to the Home Minister, the committee will undertake a comprehensive assessment of demographic changes occurring across India due to illegal immigration and other unnatural causes.

The panel will also analyse patterns of abnormal population shifts among religious and social communities and recommend planned and time-bound solutions to address the issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the formation of a high-level committee on demographic change during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort last year. (Agencies)