Amit Shah Claims Muslim Population Increase Due to Large-Scale Infiltration

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at the ‘Narendra Mohan Memorial Lecture’ organized by Dainik Jagran on ‘Infiltration, Demographic Change, and Democracy,’ stated that the rise in India’s Muslim population is not due to fertility rates but results from large-scale infiltration. Referring to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, Shah noted that the decline of Hindu populations in these countries is not due to religious conversion but rather migration, with many seeking refuge in India. Conversely, he claimed the increase in India’s Muslim population is primarily due to the infiltration of individuals from outside the country, not higher fertility rates.

According to Shah, India’s Muslim population has risen by 24.6 percent, while the Hindu population has declined by 4.5 percent. He emphasized that this decline is attributable to infiltration rather than fertility. Explaining the historical context, Shah cited the partition of India and the subsequent formation of Pakistan and later Bangladesh, noting that population shifts due to cross-border infiltration have significantly altered demographic patterns.

Shah asserted that census data from 1951 to 2011 show religious disparities in population growth primarily because of infiltration. He highlighted that his political party has followed the principle of “Detect, Delete, and Deport” since 1951 to address the issue. Under this approach, the government aims to identify infiltrators, remove their names from voter lists, and facilitate their deportation to their countries of origin. Shah emphasized that the right to vote should be reserved strictly for Indian citizens to maintain democratic integrity.

The Home Minister also defended the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that the CAA is intended to grant citizenship to refugees, not to revoke it from any community, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, or Christians. He argued that SIR is a national, not a political, exercise, designed to maintain accurate voter lists. Shah criticized certain political parties for viewing infiltrators as a vote bank rather than a threat to national security.

Addressing concerns about illegal entries, Shah noted that infiltration can occur if the district administration fails to identify individuals entering the country illegally. He compared the situation to Gujarat and Rajasthan, which also have borders but reportedly experience little to no infiltration. Shah emphasized that conducting SIR is the responsibility of the Election Commission, mandated by the Constitution to organize free and fair elections. He warned that including infiltrators in voter lists undermines the democratic process, as these individuals participate in political decision-making without allegiance to national interests. According to Shah, when voting is influenced by non-citizens, democracy cannot succeed.

In conclusion, Shah framed infiltration as the central factor affecting demographic changes and religious population growth in India. He linked historical events, such as the partition and refugee movements, to current population dynamics. The minister emphasized that his party’s strategies, including CAA and SIR, are aimed at safeguarding the democratic process by ensuring that only legitimate citizens participate in elections. Shah’s remarks combined concerns about national security, electoral integrity, and demographic trends, presenting infiltration as both a historical and contemporary challenge for India’s governance.