Opinion | PM Modi's High-Power Demography Mission: Timely Counter To A Worrying Trend |
“I wish to warn the nation of a grave concern and challenge. As part of a deliberate conspiracy, the demography of the country is being altered. Seeds of a new crisis are being sown. These infiltrators are snatching away the livelihoods of our youth. These infiltrators are targeting our sisters and daughters. This will not be tolerated. These infiltrators are misleading innocent tribals and seizing their lands. The nation will not endure this. When demographic change occurs, particularly in border areas, it creates a crisis for national security. It threatens the unity, integrity, and progress of the country. It sows the seeds of social tension. No country can hand itself over to infiltrators. No nation in the world does so—how then can we allow Bharat to do so? …Therefore, today from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I announce that we have decided to launch a High-Power Demography Mission. Through this mission, the severe crisis now looming over Bharat will be addressed in a deliberate and time-bound manner. We are moving forward in this direction."
With these words, for the first time, a Prime Minister of India red-flagged, in the Independence Address, the national threat of infiltration. And highlighted a concerted and sustained attempt being made to alter the demography of India and to pose a stiff challenge to our national security. In the last more than a decade, PM Modi has made it his approach to discuss national challenges and then to suggest a way forward in addressing them by eliciting support from and participation of the people. His........