The Indian government has constituted a high-level committee to study demographic trends in districts bordering Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as in major metropolitan and industrial regions across the country. The panel, headed by former judge Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, has been asked to submit its findings to the Ministry of Home Affairs within one year.
According to a report published by India Today on Tuesday (June 16), the committee was established on May 26 under the initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It has been tasked with examining migration patterns, their potential impact on national security, and broader demographic changes in different regions.
Citing government sources, the report said the move followed concerns raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on August 15, 2025, regarding what he described as “abnormal demographic changes” in certain areas. The central government reportedly views the issue not merely as a matter of population growth, but as one linked to internal security, social balance, and long-term administrative planning.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently reviewed the panel’s progress during a meeting with senior ministry officials. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the committee has already held its first meeting and finalized a detailed roadmap for its work.
The panel’s primary focus will be districts located along the Bangladesh and Pakistan borders. In addition, major urban and industrial centers—including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Noida, Gurugram, Ahmedabad, and Pune—will also be brought under review.
Officials said that while demographic changes resulting from birth rates, mortality, employment, and economic activity are considered normal, the government’s concerns are centered on irregular migration, illegal infiltration, and other factors that could potentially create demographic imbalances. Such developments, they believe, may affect resource allocation, law and order, local governance, and social cohesion.
As part of its mandate, the committee will engage with local administrations, security agencies, elected representatives, and members of civil society. It will also analyze census data, electoral rolls, migration records, and other official databases.
Experts say the committee’s final recommendations could pave the way for significant policy changes in areas such as border management, identity verification procedures, migration policy, and national security frameworks.
Source: India Today.