JAMMU, August 10: A four-member committee constituted by the central government to study demographic changes across the country concluded its three-day visit to Jammu on Monday. The panel engaged with top Union Territory officials, including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, to gather crucial inputs for its assessment.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the committee, appointed in May, is headed by retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar. Its mandate is to examine demographic shifts resulting from factors such as illegal immigration and other abnormal causes, and to propose measures to address these changes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the formation of this “High-powered Demography Mission” on August 15 of the previous year, with the Union Cabinet approving it on September 11.
The committee comprises three distinguished experts alongside the Census Commissioner: Durga Shankar Mishra (Retired IAS), Balaji Srivastava (Retired IPS), and Shamika Ravi. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) from the Ministry of Home Affairs serves as the Member Secretary for the committee. Upon their arrival, the panel received a detailed presentation on the demographic overview and evolving trends within Jammu and Kashmir.
During their stay, the committee was scheduled to visit various localities within Jammu, including settlements primarily inhabited by Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants. Areas along the International Border, identified as sensitive from security and administrative standpoints, were also part of the panel’s itinerary. The committee’s engagements were set to continue until August 12, encompassing comprehensive field visits and official consultations.
The Rohingya community, largely composed of speakers of a Bengali dialect, are a Muslim minority group from Myanmar. Many have entered India illegally through Bangladesh, seeking refuge in Jammu and other parts of the country following persecution in their homeland. Government data indicates that over 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, have settled in the Jammu and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Between 2008 and 2016, their population in these districts reportedly increased by more than 6,000 individuals.
This demographic shift has been a subject of concern for various political groups and civil society organizations in the region. In March 2021, a verification drive in Jammu city identified over 270 Rohingyas, including women and children, residing illegally, leading to their placement in a holding centre within Kathua Sub-Jail. Past concerns raised by leaders and right-wing organizations have highlighted issues related to national security, potential strain on local resources, and the broader implications of demographic changes driven by illegal immigration.
The committee’s visit underscores the government’s focus on understanding and addressing complex demographic dynamics within the country. Its findings and recommendations are expected to inform future policy decisions aimed at managing immigration and its impact on regional demographics and security.
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