Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the 79th Independence Day, highlighting concerns over illegal immigration and its potential to alter the country's demographic balance. He announced the launch of a "High-Powered Demography Mission" to counter this issue and safeguard national security.

Modi, speaking from the Red Fort, alerted citizens to a "conspiracy" aimed at changing India's demography. He stated that illegal immigrants are snatching the livelihoods of Indian youth, targeting women, misleading tribal communities, and seizing their lands, which will not be tolerated. He emphasized the importance of preserving the nation's demographic and social equilibrium.

The Prime Minister stressed that demographic changes, particularly in border areas, pose a threat to national security and can sow the seeds of conflict. He questioned how India could surrender to infiltrators when no other country would. Modi asserted that preventing such activities is a duty to the ancestors who gifted India its independence.

The "High-Powered Demography Mission" aims to tackle the danger of illegal immigration in a well-thought-out manner. Authorities have been cracking down on illegal immigrants across the country, with many originating from Bangladesh. The security apparatus is working to identify foreign nationals who have entered India illegally and are living under the guise of Indian citizens with fake documents.

Modi's address also touched on the importance of self-reliance and promoting "swadeshi" (local) products. He urged traders to prominently display and market locally made products, framing it as a shield against global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical shifts.

The Prime Minister's remarks come amid rising concerns about illegal immigration in the country. The issue has become a hot-button political topic, particularly in states like Assam and West Bengal. Opposition parties have criticized the newly announced mission, alleging that it could be used to target Bengali-speaking migrants.