Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 28: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday delivered a strongly-worded and ideologically charged address at the convocation ceremony of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), covering a wide spectrum of themes including national security, demographic shifts, caste-based enumeration, and India’s civilisational ethos.
In a speech laced with urgency and assertiveness, Dhankhar emphasized that peace is the foundation of a thriving democracy, but warned that peace must be backed by strength. “Peace is quintessential, fundamental for the survival of democracy. Never forget, peace is secured from a position of strength,” he said, underscoring the need for security preparedness in the face of internal and external threats.
Dhankhar drew particular attention to illegal migration and forced religious conversions, describing them as existential threats. He alleged that India is facing an orchestrated effort to alter its demographic structure, declaring: “When demographic balances are manipulated not by organic evolution but by sinister orchestrated design, it is a question of demographic invasion.” He referred to “millions of illegal migrants” as a liability and called for loyalty to “Bharatiyata” and nationalism, saying, “We need people in this country who believe in our civilisation, who are prepared to lay down their lives for the nation.”
On conversions, he warned of the “weaponisation of faith through coerced or induced means,” suggesting that belief systems are being manipulated for ulterior motives. “Every belief has to be voluntary... not induced by allurement or agenda,” he asserted.
Endorsing the government's decision to include caste-based data in the upcoming census, Dhankhar hailed it as “game-changing” for India’s governance and social equity. “The caste-based enumeration in the next census is not just a statistical move — it is a transformative milestone in equitable governance.” He called on institutions like IIPS to play a pivotal role in interpreting this data, linking inequalities to broader structural inequities that governance must address.
Reinforcing India's ancient tradition of dialogue over dogma, Dhankhar invoked Upanishadic and Dharmashastric principles while warning against rhetorical or majoritarian politics. He sought to differentiate Hindu civilisational values from majoritarianism, stating: “Hinduism majority has never been guided by majoritarianism. These impulses are antithetical to us.”
Closing his address, the Vice President defined India’s national character through the ‘three Ds’ — Demography, Democracy, and Diversity, calling them the pillars of “New Bharat.” “Demography fuels our progress. Democracy ensures our collective will. And diversity? It’s our greatest gift to the world.”
Dhankhar’s speech has set a provocative tone for the national conversation on population, identity, and governance — with implications for policy, politics, and public discourse alike.