A firm decision in the national interest
Some forces that cannot stand the sight of India’s rapid march towards a developed country are increasingly active in the country. Their intention is to deliberately poison the national atmosphere and create instability. As a result, the internal security challenges facing India have become increasingly complex. Just as violent protests broke out in Nepal and Bangladesh, some anti-national elements started talking about starting similar agitations in India. With the support of some foreign powers, the opposition parties are talking about “regime change”. Attempts are being made to undermine democracy and threaten the constitution created under the leadership of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Efforts are also being made to fuel extremism in the country. The drug trade that threatens to derail the lives of young people is on the rise. Misinformation spread through social media and attempts to create social discord pose a serious threat to social harmony in India.
But no such instability will be rooted in India, nor will the sinister designs of foreign powers be allowed to succeed. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our country’s formidable Home Minister Amit Shah is ensuring that this does not happen. The era of security agencies trying to respond only after an incident has occurred is long gone. We are now in an era defined by Mr. Shah’s firm, far-sighted, swift, direct and comprehensive decision-making. Hence, citizens of India need not fear any such destabilization attempts. Whatever happens elsewhere in the world, India remains a state governed by the Constitution of Dr. Ambedkar. No one can push the country into anarchy. Mr Shah celebrated his birthday on Thursday. As I send my birthday wishes to him, I pray to the Almighty to give him the strength to maintain India’s internal security at the highest level and effectively counter the anti-national elements.
Historic decisions
When comparing pre-2014 India with post-2014 India, one cannot only look at the change in political power. The country’s development aspirations, its approach to national security, the pace of infrastructure creation, India’s position on the global stage and its willingness to address long-standing issues also need to be considered. Mr. Modi’s leadership has given a new direction to the nation’s aspirations, while Mr. Shah has strengthened that path through his organizational skills, political planning and supporting key decisions. The Prime Minister’s far-sighted vision and his colleague’s ability to realize it together provide an important example of how transformative change can be achieved.
As Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister, Mr. Shah took some historic decisions. In August 2019, he announced in Parliament the decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. This decision became a milestone in protecting the unity and integrity of the country. Subsequently, development in Kashmir gained momentum and the region became more integrated into the national mainstream. He also took extremely tough measures to curb Naxalite activities in the country. Ending Naxalism is not just about defeating armed extremist groups. It is equally important to provide roads, education, health care, employment and administrative facilities to regions that have been deprived of development for generations. The foundations of peace can only be strengthened by working simultaneously on the security and development fronts. The ultimate success of this campaign will be measured by whether citizens in areas emerging from the shadow of violence can live in dignity. The determination with which Mr. Shah faced Naxalism and terrorism made him the iron man of our time.
He also brought several insurgent groups in the northeastern region into the national mainstream while strengthening internal security. He helped parliament pass new laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaced several outdated laws from the colonial era and gave India’s criminal justice system a modern framework. Strict action has also been taken against elements threatening India’s sovereignty through the armed forces and intelligence services. Mr. Shah’s leadership is particularly evident in his firm opposition to foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. When it comes to protecting the country’s security and interests, he takes decisive action without succumbing to pressure.
Zero tolerance for drugs
He consistently argued that Indian youth must not be exploited through protests for political gains or anti-national reasons. Although the right to protest is a fundamental feature of democracy, he has repeatedly made it clear that damage to public property and the use of violence will not be tolerated. Mr Shah has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards drugs which are causing immense harm to the young generation of the country. Under his leadership, central investigation agencies and state police forces coordinated their efforts to break up major drug smuggling networks. Strict measures were taken to dismantle international syndicates and prevent smuggling across border areas. These government campaigns led to the destruction of drugs worth crores of rupees. Between 2014 and 2025, more than 10 million kilograms of drugs with an estimated market value of over ₹1.65 million have been seized. By comparison, between 2004 and 2014, 173,000 drug traffickers were arrested. After 2014, this number increased to more than 761,000 arrests. Major operations were also conducted against major drug cartels operating near the Indian coast and in international maritime zones, resulting in the seizure of drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees. These achievements mirror that of the Union Home Ministry under the leadership of Mr. Shah.
Under Mr. Shah’s leadership, the Ministry of Home Affairs has become a strong and formidable pillar of India’s internal security. His guiding principle of “Nation First” is clearly reflected in every decision he makes. In 2021, he had the honor of becoming the first minister for cooperation after the government established a separate ministry for cooperation. Even after the parliamentary elections in 2024, he continued to manage the Home and Cooperation portfolio with considerable efficiency. He worked to reduce irregularities in the cooperative sector and eliminate the monopolistic control exercised by a few powerful families. Most importantly, it gave the cooperative movement a modern, technology-based identity and strengthened its ability to meet the challenges of competition. This subsequently strengthened the rural agricultural economy.
Role of Chief Strategist
Mr. Shah is a man of firm determination who stands his ground. He has been the architect of many victories of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is my trusted guide and supporter. In today’s India, only a handful of leaders are judged not by the number of years they have lived, but by the amount of achievements they have achieved. Mr Shah is one of those prominent leaders. He played the role of a master strategist in ensuring BJP’s unprecedented success at the national level. His political influence began at the level of a booth worker and eventually reached the office of the country’s interior minister. This journey bears witness to his hard work, precise organizational skills and strategic decision-making. At the age of 16, he became a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The values instilled by the organization are reflected in its political decisions and approach to public life.
I have met Mr. Shah many times over the last six to seven years. I had hundreds of opportunities to discuss issues with him and listen to his thoughts. These interactions gave me first-hand experience of his ability to make accurate and timely policy decisions. Whenever I meet him as a friend and mentor, I see his compassionate side. Yet when he is confronted with a difficult trial, when finding a way out of a difficult situation, or when dealing with people who have anti-national intentions, his uncompromising firmness is equally evident. I have personally witnessed Mr. Shah’s affection for Maharashtra, his deep interest in the history of the state and especially his admiration and pride for the bravery of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Our mutual trust, similarities in political thinking and shared goal of ensuring that Mahayuti’s government remained strong and stable meant that he always stood firmly by my side.
The decisions he took as Union Home Minister are a reflection of his decisive character. It is precisely these qualities that have earned him the reputation of the Chanakya of the BJP. To truly understand his Chanakya-like qualities, we need to examine the principles of Chanakya Niti. There are five main aspects. The first is the importance of education. Education is man’s greatest friend and an educated individual commands respect everywhere. Mr. Shah understands the importance of knowledge and learning. The second aspect is confidentiality. Whether someone is discussing personal thoughts, future plans, financial circumstances or family matters with him, you can be sure that he will maintain complete confidentiality. The third is management. Mr. Shah has exceptional knowledge of how to formulate a plan and translate it into reality. He has practical insights into planning and execution that one might not even encounter in MBA curricula. The fourth and extremely important principle is to avoid arguing with stupid or ignorant people. One should not waste one’s energy arguing with certain individuals. In times like these, staying calm is often the best option. This is an important lesson one can learn from Mr. Shah. The fifth aspect is devotion to duty. A person’s identity is not determined by birth, but by deeds. He firmly believes that one’s position, authority and wealth must be used for the welfare of the people and for the fulfillment of one’s duties. He is known for working around the clock and maintaining a highly disciplined lifestyle. During election campaigns, he personally goes into the field and oversees careful planning down to the smallest detail. His evidence-based style of responding forcefully to opposition questions in Parliament is widely recognised.
Mr. Shah’s decision-making skills, his commitment to national security, his administrative competence and his role as one of the architects of modern India’s development will ensure that his name occupies a prominent place in the country’s political history. It is my heartfelt wish that Mr. Shah continues his tireless service to the nation with the same determination and dedication for many years to come.
Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Published – 23 Oct 2026 01:54 IST