Demography Mission rollout amid raging debate over SIR

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that his government would soon set up a high-powered demography mission to deal with unlawful entry of foreign nationals in the country. The announcement comes in the wake of the Oppositions allegations that the BJP is misusing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar to target immigrants, especially those belonging to the minority community. In his Independence Day speech delivered from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi noted that Indias forefathers made the supreme sacrifice to win freedom for the countrymen, and it is the duty of its citizens not to accept such influx of illegal foreign nationals. Today I want to alert the country about a concern, a challenge. Under a well-thought-out conspiracy, the demography of the country is being changed. Seeds of a new crisis are being sown. These ghuspaithiya (intruders) are snatching the livelihood of the youth of my country, these ghuspaithiya are targeting the sisters and daughters of my country and this will not be tolerated. These ghuspaithiya are misleading the innocent tribals and grabbing their land. This country will not tolerate this, Modi asserted. From Sudarshan Chakra defence system to demographic mission: Key takeaways from PM Modis I-Day speech From the ramparts of Red Fort today, I want to say that we have decided to start a high-powered demography mission. This mission will definitely do its work in a well-thought-out manner in a set time frame to deal with the grave crisis that is looming over India, and we are moving ahead in that direction, the PM said. Such demographic changes, particularly in the border areas, pose a serious threat to Indias security and gradually emerging as a potential threat to the unity, integrity and progress of the country and sows the seeds of social tension, he noted. During the 2024 Lok Sabha polls also, Modi had spoken about infiltration and used the term ghuspaithiya in his election campaigns. The BJP, in its campaign during assembly elections in West Bengal and Jharkhand, had raised the issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh marrying tribal girls in the two states. PM Modi claims 'conspiracy to change' India's demography, pitches mission to curb infiltration