New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah has raised strong concerns about demographic changes in India’s border villages, describing them as a potential threat to national security. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) workshop, Shah said these shifts are not natural but part of a “deliberate design.” He called on district collectors, Chief Secretaries of border states, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to treat the matter with seriousness.
Shah stressed the need to act against illegal religious encroachments within 30 kilometers of the border, claiming such developments are linked to deliberate attempts at altering the demographic profile. He urged officials to adopt an expanded and innovative approach in Vibrant Villages Programme-2, moving beyond infrastructure alone to include social and cultural safeguards.
The Home Minister outlined the three pillars of the programme: stopping migration from border villages, ensuring full coverage of government schemes, and turning these areas into instruments of national security. He highlighted examples from Arunachal Pradesh, where the Indo-Tibetan Border Police has supported the local economy by sourcing essentials from nearby villages. Shah also pressed for improved tourism opportunities, homestay facilities, and stronger coordination between state departments and security forces.
Critics argue that the government’s focus on demographic shifts and religious encroachments risks targeting minority communities, particularly Muslims living in sensitive border districts. They warn that such measures may increase surveillance, disrupt livelihoods, and fuel mistrust among local populations who already face economic and social challenges.
