Demographic disorder no less severe than N-bomb: V-P

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday flagged what he termed as “growing threats to the country from demographic disorder”, and warned of an existential threat to India lest the issue was addressed.

“Demographic disorder is no less severe in consequences than a nuclear bomb,” Dhankhar said, becoming the first constitutional functionary to speak about demographic changes as a danger.

He was addressing an event in Jaipur where he said demographic dislocation was transforming certain regions into political fortresses, where elections had no real meaning. “It is alarming to see how some areas have been affected by this strategic shift, turning them into impenetrable strongholds where democracy loses its essence,” he said.

On broader implications of the issue for India’s future, Dhankhar said Bharat must remain a stabilising global force. “This force has to emerge. This century has to belong to Bharat and that will be good for humanity, that will contribute to peace and harmony on the planet. However, it would be a disservice to the nation if we turn a blind eye to the dangers of demographic upheavals that are taking place in the country,” Dhankhar warned.

He said organic, natural demographic change was never upsetting but a “demographic change brought about in a strategic manner to achieve an object offers a scene that is frightening”. Dhankhar said an analysis of a demographic shift over the last few decades revealed a disturbing pattern that poses a challenge to Indian values, civilisational ethos and democracy.

“If this alarmingly worrisome challenge is not addressed systematically, it would escalate into an existential threat for the nation. It has happened in the world. I need not name countries that have lost their identity 100 per cent because of this demographic disorder, demographic earthquake,” he said.

He stressed the need for preserving the inclusivity that defines Bharat, saying, “We as a majority are all-embracing. We as a majority are tolerant. We as a majority generate a soothing ecosystem. The other kind of majority is brute, ruthless, reckless in its functioning, trampling on the values of the other side.”

He called for resisting divisive forces that were assaulting India’s cultural traditions, lamenting disregard for the rule of law by some people. “There was a time when some people thought they were above the law. They were privileged, but things have changed. Even today, we see responsible people in constitutional positions who do not care about the law, do not care about the nation, and say anything. These are sinister design orchestrated by forces inimical to Bharat’s progress. We can’t be crazy for political power. Political power has to emanate from the people, through a democratic process that is sanctified,” the Vice-President stressed.

The ruling BJP has made demographic changes in poll-bound Jharkhand a major election issue, promising to implement the National Register for Citizens to weed out “illegal immigrants” from parts of the state.