New Delhi, 26 August — National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Wednesday rallied behind Home Minister Amit Shah after he declared that India is 'not a dharamshala' for illegal infiltrators, calling his position essential to safeguarding the country's national security and long-term demographic stability.

What Shah Said

Addressing the valedictory session of the Intelligence Bureau's National Security Strategy Conference in New Delhi, Shah outlined an expansive internal security vision for the next two decades. He argued that India's goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 would depend significantly on a strong internal security framework.

'This country is not a Dharamshala, and only the citizens of the country have the right to live in this country,' Shah said, warning that illegal infiltrators could pose serious challenges to national security, economic stability, and demographic balance. He called for proactive, coordinated action against infiltration, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and other emerging threats.

NDA Leaders Back the Position

Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Kadam said Shah had spoken in the larger national interest and that infiltration could not be ignored. 'The Home Minister has spoken in the interest of the nation. This country is a family, and the people of this country have the primary right to it. If infiltrators come here, compromise the nation's security, usurp the rights of the local people, and fuel terrorist activities, what else can be expected?' Kadam said.

Kadam also alleged that during the Congress regime, illegal infiltrators were 'deliberately encouraged and used as a vote bank' — a claim Congress has not publicly responded to at the time of writing.

Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi endorsed Shah's stance, saying the government and the party were firmly committed to preventing illegal infiltration. 'Union Minister Amit Shah has said that infiltrators will be detected, deleted and deported — identified, removed and sent out of the country,' Saraogi said.

Ally RLD Calls Statement Significant

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader K.C. Tyagi described Shah's remarks as particularly significant given the circumstances in which they were made. 'No foreign national should have the right to reside in India without obtaining citizenship,' Tyagi said.

Broader Context

The statements come against the backdrop of the Centre's renewed focus on strengthening internal security and addressing threats linked to illegal infiltration, organised crime, and cross-border terrorism. Notably, the Intelligence Bureau conference itself signals an institutional push to align intelligence and law enforcement priorities ahead of a longer-term national security roadmap. This is not the first time the issue of illegal infiltration has dominated political discourse — it has been a recurring flashpoint, particularly in border states such as West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. How the government translates Shah's rhetoric into verifiable enforcement outcomes will be closely watched in the months ahead.