Amit Shah

During the recently held Lok Sabha elections 2024, Amit Shah clinched a landslide victory in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, securing a massive lead of over 7,00,000 votes against his closest Congress rival, Sonal Ramanbhai Patel. After the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) defeated INDIA alliance and secured a historic victory and Narendra Modi was sworn as the Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, Amit Shah was once again given the office of the Union Home Ministry. 

As the Home Minister, during the 2023 Winter Session, Amit Shah introduced three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) – to replace the British-era IPC, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. The new criminal laws were implemented on July 1, 2024.  

Key Details:

1. Early Life and Background:
   
   
   
   • Amit Shah was born on October 22, 1964, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a Gujarati Hindu family. He grew up in Gujarat, where he became involved in politics at a young age.
   
   
   • He studied Biochemistry at CU Shah Science College in Ahmedabad but became deeply involved in political activities during his student years.
   
   
   
   


2. Political Career:
   
   
   
   • Shah began his political career as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS.
   
   
   • He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the early 1980s, where he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the key leaders in Gujarat politics.
   
   
   
   


3. Association with Narendra Modi:
   
   
   
   • Shah’s political rise is closely linked with Narendra Modi, whom he supported during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Shah was instrumental in the BJP’s electoral successes in the state.
   
   
   • During Modi’s time as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Shah held several important portfolios, including Home, Transport, and Law, and played a critical role in shaping BJP’s political strategy in Gujarat.
   
   
   
   


4. BJP President and National Leadership:
   
   
   
   • In 2014, after Modi became Prime Minister, Amit Shah was appointed as the President of the BJP. Under his leadership, the BJP achieved significant electoral victories, including the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the party won a historic majority.
   
   
   • Shah is credited with expanding the BJP’s reach across India, particularly in states where the party traditionally had little influence, such as West Bengal, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh.
   
   
   
   


5. Union Minister of Home Affairs:
   
   
   
   • In 2019, Amit Shah was appointed as the Union Home Minister, where he took charge of India’s internal security, law and order, and key issues like Kashmir and insurgency.
   
   
   • One of Shah’s most notable actions as Home Minister was the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and integrated the region fully into India. This move was both praised and criticized, sparking debates on its political and social impact.
   
   
   • He also oversaw the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019, which sparked nationwide protests due to concerns about its potential discriminatory impact on Muslims.
   
   
   
   


6. Political Strategy and Style:
   
   
   
   • Amit Shah is known as a master strategist, often referred to as the BJP’s “Chanakya” (after the ancient Indian political thinker). His ability to manage election campaigns and mobilize party workers has been a major asset for the BJP.
   
   
   • He is recognized for his grassroots organizational skills, focusing on booth-level management and building an extensive network of party workers.
   
   
   
   


7. Controversies:
   
   
   
   • Throughout his political career, Amit Shah has faced several controversies. He was implicated in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, a high-profile legal case in Gujarat, but was later acquitted of all charges.
   
   
   • His tenure as Home Minister has also drawn criticism for the handling of protests and dissent, especially concerning the Delhi riots in 2020 and the CAA protests.
   
   
   
   


8. Personal Life:
   
   
   
   • Amit Shah is married to Sonal Shah, and they have a son named Jay Shah, who is currently involved in cricket administration as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
   
   
   • Shah is known to maintain a low-profile personal life and is deeply involved in the day-to-day functioning of the BJP and his governmental responsibilities.
   
   
   
   


9. Legacy and Influence:
   
   
   
   • Amit Shah is regarded as one of the most powerful and influential politicians in India today. His role in shaping the BJP’s rise as a dominant political force in India is widely acknowledged.
   
   
   • His focus on nationalism, strong governance, and internal security resonates with a large section of Indian voters, particularly BJP supporters.
   
   
   
   

Amit Shah’s legacy is deeply intertwined with his close partnership with Narendra Modi, his role in shaping the BJP into a formidable electoral machine, and his tenure as Home Minister.