VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Sounds Alarm on Illegal Migration and Forced Conversions, Supports Caste-Based Census
New Delhi – In a hard-hitting speech at the convocation ceremony of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) on Wednesday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar issued a clarion call for stronger national unity and demographic vigilance. Framing India’s evolving challenges within the broader lens of security, governance, and cultural identity, Dhankhar’s address reflected a sharp concern over what he termed a “demographic invasion” and the “weaponisation of faith.”
“Peace Must Be Earned Through Strength”
Opening his speech with an emphasis on peace as the cornerstone of democracy, Dhankhar asserted that true peace can only be achieved through strength and preparedness. “Peace is quintessential, fundamental for the survival of democracy. Never forget, peace is secured from a position of strength,” he told the graduating students and faculty.
Referring to historical examples and recent threats, he added, “Democracy can blossom and prosper only in peace that is earned through strength, effective security, economic resilience, internal harmony. Invasions can be thwarted and peace secured only when we are ever ready for war.”
He lauded India’s firm stance against terrorism, stating: “Bharat has sent a global message. No longer shall we tolerate terrorism. We will liquidate it and destroy the source of it.”
“Demographic Invasion” and Illegal Migration
A major portion of the Vice President’s speech was dedicated to issues of internal security and demographic change. Dhankhar expressed serious concern over what he described as deliberate attempts to manipulate India’s population balance.
“When demographic balances are manipulated not by organic evolution but by sinister orchestrated design, then it is no longer a question of migration — it is a question of demographic invasion,” he said, accusing certain forces of trying to alter the cultural and national character of India.
He claimed that millions of illegal migrants have entered the country, asking, “Can we suffer from them? We need people in this country who are committed to our civilisation, who believe in ‘Bharatiyata’, who believe in our nationalism, who are prepared to lay down their lives for the nation.”
Forced Religious Conversions: A "Weaponisation of Faith"
Dhankhar also issued a stern warning about what he called coerced or induced religious conversions, stating these were being used as tools to destabilize societal harmony.
“Equally disturbing, worrisome, of deep concern is the weaponisation of faith through coerced or induced conversion,” he said. “Where belief is replaced by inducement... it is induced by allurement and choice by agenda. These are not isolated incidents.”
He underlined that true faith must be voluntary, warning against conversions that arise from material inducements or organized campaigns.
Backing the Caste-Based Census
In a significant policy endorsement, Dhankhar welcomed the government’s decision to include caste-based enumeration in the next census, calling it a milestone for inclusive governance.
Describing it as “transformative,” he emphasized that accurate population data will enable targeted solutions for long-standing social inequities.
“If inequalities are there, they generate and breed inequities. That is not the essence of governance,” he said, encouraging research institutions like IIPS to take a lead role in interpreting this data for policy planning.
India’s Civilisational Identity and the Role of Dialogue
Dhankhar invoked India’s ancient spiritual traditions to call for a more mature, informed public discourse rooted in facts and civilisational values.
“Authentic discourse is our core civilisational value. We cannot have rhetoric. We cannot have jingoism,” he stated. “Our heritage, drawn from Upanishads and Dharmashastras, celebrates dialogue over dogma, restraint over rage.”
He also clarified the role of Hinduism in Indian society, saying, “The Hinduism majority deeply rooted in the civilisational spirit has never been guided by majoritarianism. People mistake it. Hinduism majority is not majoritarianism. These impulses are antithetical to us.”
The “Three Ds” of New Bharat
In conclusion, the Vice President described India’s future as being driven by what he called the “Three Ds”: Demography, Democracy, and Diversity.
“These three Ds define the soul of new Bharat,” he said. “Demography represents the dynamic human capital that fuels the engine of progress. Democracy provides a robust framework for collective decision-making. Diversity? India represents to the entire world what diversity is.”
He urged scholars and policymakers to ensure that India’s demographic advantage is not turned into a vulnerability. “Population data must be used not just for development, but to secure the nation’s social and cultural harmony,” he said.
A Call to Action
Vice President Dhankhar’s address at IIPS went far beyond a ceremonial speech. It was a comprehensive reflection on the nation’s most pressing demographic and cultural concerns. By tying governance, security, and national identity to population science, Dhankhar made a strong case for using data not just for development but for preserving the soul of the nation.
As India prepares for its upcoming decadal census and continues to grapple with internal and external security challenges, Dhankhar’s remarks are likely to resonate widely — both in political circles and among scholars.