"Visionary and decisive step": Assam CM welcomes Centre's demographic change committee
Guwahati, May 26
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday welcomed the Centre's decision to constitute a High-Level Committee to examine the issue of demographic changes in India, calling it a "visionary and decisive step" aimed at addressing concerns linked to national security and social balance.
CM Sarma said illegal infiltration and demographic shifts are not limited to any one state but are a serious national concern impacting security, cultural identity and social harmony.
He added that the initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to be led under Union Home Minister Amit Shah, would study the issue and suggest concrete solutions.
In a post on X, CM Sarma, "Illegal infiltration and unusual demographic change are not merely the concern of any single state but a serious issue linked to India's national security, cultural identity, and social balance. The formation of the High-Level Committee announced by the honorable @narendramodi ji to address this challenge is a visionary and decisive step. Under the proactive leadership of the honorable @AmitShah ji, this committee will study the unusual demographic changes occurring across the country and present concrete solutions."
CM Sarma further said Assam has long been facing challenges related to demographic change, and expressed confidence that the committee would help protect the rights of indigenous communities and preserve the state's cultural heritage.
"This will further strengthen national security and enable serious addressing of the concerns of border areas. Assam has been facing the challenge of demographic change for a long time. This initiative will prove extremely important for protecting our cultural heritage, tribal society, and the rights of indigenous people. We are confident that this committee will play a significant role in securing India's future," the post read.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the constitution of a high-level committee to examine the issue of demographic change in India, describing it as a critical challenge with far-reaching implications for national security, sovereignty and social stability.
Framing the move as a follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on Independence Day 2025, Shah made the announcement through his post on X, pointing out that the government has now operationalised the "High-Level Committee on Demographic Change" to address concerns arising from illegal immigration and other "unnatural" factors influencing population patterns.
"Infiltration and other reasons causing unnatural demographic change pose a very significant challenge to the present and future of any nation," Shah mentioned in the post.
"To address this very challenge, on August 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of this committee. I am delighted to inform you that the government has now constituted it."
The committee will be chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar and will include the Census Commissioner as well as former IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra, former IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, and economist Shamika Ravi. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) in the Ministry of Home Affairs will serve as the Member Secretary of this committee.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move by PM Modi and Amit Shah ji. But let's not make this only about Assam or West Bengal. Demographic changes are happening in many states due to internal migration too. Need a comprehensive national policy that addresses both illegal immigration and internal movement. Balance chahiye.
Interesting development. I'm a foreign national living in India for work, and I'm curious how this will affect legal immigrants like me. Hope the committee distinguishes clearly between illegal infiltration and documented migration. India has always been welcoming to those who come through proper channels.
As someone from the Northeast, I feel this conversation needs more nuance. Yes, illegal immigration is a problem, but we also need to address why people are forced to leave their home countries - poverty, climate change, conflict. A purely security-focused approach won't solve the root causes. Let's have some empathy too.
This committee has impressive members - a former Supreme Court judge, Census Commissioner, and experts. Let's give them a chance to study the data first before jumping to conclusions. Demographic changes are complex with multiple factors. But I do hope they address the genuine concerns of states like Assam that have been raising this for decades. 👏
From what I understand, this is similar to committees formed in other countries facing demographic challenges. What matters is transparency and implementation. Let's see what recommendations they make and how they'll be enforced. Actions speak louder than press releases.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.