'Can't allow infiltrators to take over India': PM Modi announces 'high-power demography mission' from Red Fort on I-Day

As the country is celebrating its 79th Independence Day, the Prime Minister made the announcement amid the massive showdown between the government and opposition over the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s Special Intensive Revision in Bihar.

Modi said the infiltration is denying youth their rights, targeting women, threatening national security and integrity.

The Prime Minister in unequivocal words said the country won't tolerate infiltration and the crackdown will be considered as a fitting tribute to the freedom fighters.

"A conspiracy has been hatched to change the demography of the country, creating a new crisis. The infiltrators are denying the youth of their jobs and targeting the women. This won't be tolerated. These infiltrators are taking adivasis' lands through deception. The country won't tolerate this.

"The change in demography in the border areas threatens national security, unity, integrity and progress and sows the seed of social tension. Infiltrators can't be allowed to take over our country. We can't undo the sacrifices made by our forebears to give us an independent country," he said.

The Prime Minister added, "It is our duty towards those great men who have given us independent India that we should not accept such acts in our country, this will be their true tribute. So our government has decided to start a high-power demography mission which will tackle the crisis of infiltration."

Slamming the announcement, Congress leader Salman Khurshid told NDTV, "This reveals the Prime Minister's weakness. If infiltration could not be stopped, then he (Modi) should admit it and apologise to the nation."

Hitting out at the Prime Minister, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose posted on X, "In 2014 manifesto,
@BJP4India pledged to 'address the issue of infiltration and illegal immigrants in the Northeast region on a priority basis, with clear policy directions and effective control at the ground level.'

"Now, after 11 LONG years in power, @narendramodi has AGAIN announced a new “demographic mission” to protect the country from the 'dangers' posed by illegal immigrants. Modi is thus ADMITTING that his promise of 2014 remains unfulfilled. Narendra JUMLA Modi."