Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday claimed that illegal immigrants are not only residing in India without rights but are also interfering in the country’s electoral process, media reports said.

He urged citizens to be aware of this issue, stating that it is essential to cultivate a national mindset against such influence.

Speaking at the 65th convocation ceremony of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Dhankhar, in an apparent reference to the United States’ recent deportation of illegal immigrants, questioned when India would take similar steps, reported PTI.

"Crores of people who have no right to live in India are living here...They are making their livelihood here. They are making demands on our resources. On our education, health sector, housing sector. Now things have gone further. They are intervening in our electoral process," he was quoted as saying by the news agency.

He called on Indians to foster awareness, saying, "It is the duty of all of us that we spread a mentality (`manasikta') in the country, create such an atmosphere....that every Indian becomes alert to this."

While not directly naming the United States, he pointed to the recent deportation of Indians who had been misled into migrating. "A question should occur to every Indian -- when would we start doing this?" he asked.

The vice president also urged the youth to act as a "powerful pressure group" by holding public representatives and the government accountable.

Calls for investigation into election manipulation

Dhankhar hinted at alleged foreign interference in India's elections, referencing reports that an external agency had attempted to influence voter turnout. He called for a thorough investigation into such efforts, stating, "There should be deep, thorough, micro-level investigation to expose those trying to manipulate the democracy in the country."

Concerns over religious conversions and demographic changes

Touching upon religious conversions, Dhankhar asserted that individuals are free to practice any religion but warned against conversions driven by material incentives.

According to the report, he claimed that such efforts aimed to "gain supremacy by changing the demography of India," drawing parallels to countries where majority populations had been displaced due to "demographic invasion."

Economic growth and national progress

Speaking on India’s economic trajectory, the vice president highlighted the country’s rapid growth over the past decade. He stressed the need to increase per capita income eight-fold to achieve developed nation status.

"Commitment to nationalism is non-negotiable because it is directly connected to our freedom," he said, adding that the country's progress is "unstoppable."

He cited advancements in infrastructure, digital connectivity, and government policies that support start-ups, particularly in smaller cities.

Dhankhar also referred to the renaming of Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, stating that the country is reclaiming its historical identity, even if belatedly.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for social harmony. "Social harmony will define unity in diversity. Let us generate social harmony at all costs."