Shashi Tharoor Backs Centre's Move On Demographic Change: 'Must Understand Numbers We Are Dealing With'
Shashi Tharoor Backs Centre's Move On Demographic Change: 'Must Understand Numbers We Are Dealing With' Published By, Last Updated: May 27, 2026, 11:14 IST Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor Backs Centre's Move On Demographic Change: 'Must Understand Numbers We Are Dealing With' Published By, Last Updated: May 27, 2026, 11:14 IST Tharoor asserted that there should be a discussion on the political implications of the formation of the committee to examine 'unnatural demographic change' File photo of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (PTI photo) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed the Centre’s decision to constitute a high-level committee to examine an “unnatural demographic change" caused by illegal immigration and other unspecified factors, describing it as an “important development". Tharoor, an MP from Thiruvananthapuram, explained that it is significant to understand the numbers one is dealing with. However, he asserted that there should be a discussion on the political implications of the move. “That’s a very important development; there are lots of things happening. There are changes of various kinds, and I think it’s important that before we have a serious conversation about the political implications, we should understand the numbers we’re dealing with", he told CNN-News18.
Tharoor said he was in support of “any idea that will give us facts and figures that are accurate". “Otherwise, people can misuse data, especially if it’s incomplete data, by needlessly creating political controversies. It’s important that we have data, so I’m supporting any idea that will give us facts and figures that are accurate, that are comprehensive, showing all the demographic factors, the trends and so on. We have a national census also happening…" the Congress MP told CNN-News18. High-Level Committee On Demographic Change Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced the formation of a high-level committee to examine what he described as “unnatural demographic change" caused by infiltration and other factors. Shah argued the issue was linked to the country’s sovereignty, national security, social structure, and the preservation of tribal societies. In a post on ‘X’, he wrote, “Infiltration and other reasons causing Unnatural Demographic Change pose a very significant challenge to the present and future of any nation.
To address this very challenge, on 15 August 2025, Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] ji had announced the ‘High-Level Committee on Demographic Change’. I am delighted to inform you that the government has now constituted this committee". The committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, will include former IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra, e IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, and economist Dr Shamika Ravi and the Census Commissioner as members. “The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I), Ministry of Home Affairs, will serve as the Member Secretary of this committee," he added. The Home Minister announced the committee would conduct a comprehensive assessment of “demographic changes occurring across India due to illegal immigration and other unnatural causes." Political Implications Pertinent to note that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have raised the issue of demographic change and illegal migration at several occasions. Meanwhile, the announcement is expected to spark a wider political debate as the issue of illegal migration remains a focalpoint in multiple states, particularly in bordering regions.
News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 27, 2026, 11:14 IST News india Shashi Tharoor Backs Centre's Move On Demographic Change: 'Must Understand Numbers We Are Dealing With' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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