Shah spoke in great detail on how the Modi government has made significant strides in combating internal security threats over the past decade.
NEW DELHI: The two-hour comprehensive speech by Home Minster Amit Shah at the Rajya Sabha on Friday where he detailed how the Narendra Modi government had handled issues related to internal security and peace, reinforces the BJP’s long-held approach of zero tolerance to issues affecting national security and boldly talking about it.
Shah spoke in great detail on how the Modi government has made significant strides in combating internal security threats over the past decade, citing substantial reductions in terrorism, left-wing extremism, and insurgency.
In his speech, backed by official numbers, Shah detailed a series of government initiatives in front of internal security and peace to present a picture of a nation more secure and unified under Modi’s leadership.
Shah’s speech, by the time it concluded, had added more credence to the perception that the Home Ministry under Shah has been one of the best-performing ministries under the Modi government.
One of the reasons behind this efficiency is, as per officials, the fact that Shah, just like Modi, does his homework in great detail before entering into discussion with the officials which eliminates the scope of the bureaucrats and officials being able to register false claims and boast about their work.
Shah started by addressing the long-standing challenges of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, left-wing extremism (Naxalism), and insurgency in the Northeast, stating that these issues had claimed nearly 92,000 lives over four decades.
It is pertinent to mention that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in October 2009, had termed naxalism “the greatest internal security threat to our country”, a phrase that underscored how strong the naxal movement was till a few years ago.
Shah told the house that he was ‘responsibly’ informing the House that by 31 March 2026, Naxalism will be eradicated from the country.
According to him, in December 2023, after the change in government in Chhattisgarh, within a single year, 380 Naxalites were killed, 1,194 were arrested, and 1,045 surrendered. He mentioned that in this entire operation, only 26 security personnel were martyred.
He credited the Modi government with adopting a “zero-tolerance” policy against terrorism, leading to a sharp decrease in terrorist incidents while highlighting the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, something that was seen as an impossible step that it was taken, claiming it has fostered integration and development in the region.
Shah presented statistics showing a significant decline in terrorist attacks, civilian casualties, and stone-pelting incidents, citing a reduction of terrorist incidents from 7,217 between 2004 and 2014 to 2,242 from 2014 to 2024.
Civilian deaths, he stated, decreased by 81% during this period. He also mentioned the opening of cinemas, the allowance of Muharram processions, and the widespread hoisting of the national flag in Kashmir as symbols of normalcy while outlining development projects worth billions of rupees and increased employment opportunities in the region.
Turning to left-wing extremism, Shah repeated the government’s aim to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026. Coincidentally his speech came just hours after security forces had eliminated 26 naxals in Chhattisgarh.
Shah said that the success gained in anti-naxal developments was due to a strategy of dialogue, security measures, and coordinated efforts, supported by technological advancements in intelligence gathering.
He claimed a 53% reduction in violent incidents and a 70% decrease in civilian deaths related to Naxalism between 2014 and 2024, compared to the preceding decade. Shah highlighted the increased number of fortified police stations, the shrinking of Naxal-affected areas, and enhanced infrastructure development, including road construction and mobile connectivity, in these regions. He also emphasized the financial crackdown on Naxalites through the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate.
Regarding the Northeast, Shah reported a 70% reduction in violent incidents, a 72% decrease in security personnel casualties, and an 85% drop in civilian casualties. He underscored the signing of 12 significant peace agreements with various armed groups since 2019, leading to the surrender of over 10,900 youths. He also noted a substantial reduction in the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and highlighted investments worth billions of rupees for development in the region. The Home Minister specifically mentioned the rehabilitation of the Bru-Reang community and the increased connectivity and infrastructure projects as key achievements.
Shah, who is described as the number two in the BJP and government’s hierarchy, also detailed the government’s stringent measures against terrorism, including the declaration of 57 individuals as terrorists and the banning of 23 organizations.
He specifically mentioned the dismantling of Hurriyat and the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI). Furthermore, he outlined the expanded jurisdiction and enhanced capabilities of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), boasting a 95% conviction rate in terror-related cases. The strengthening of intelligence mechanisms like the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) was also emphasized.
Attacking the secessionist forces active in Punjab, Shah while referring to Amritpal Singh who contested the Lok Sabha poll from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat, said that some people wanted to become Bhindranwala in Punjab, but the government took the action of putting them in jail in Assam.
A significant portion of Shah’s address focused on the government’s efforts to combat drug trafficking, adopting a “whole of government, whole of nation” approach. He reported a substantial increase in drug seizures, amounting to over one crore kilograms between 2014 and 2024, compared to 25 lakh kilograms in the preceding decade. The value of seized drugs also saw a dramatic rise. Shah asserted that India’s efforts have led to international recognition of the “Death Triangle” and “Death Crescent” in its neighborhood, reflecting the increased focus on drug interdiction.
In a move towards legal reform, Shah recalled that even after 75 years of independence, the criminal laws enacted by the British Parliament to solidify their rule were still in effect. He recalled that Prime Minister Modi had announced the ‘Panch Pran’ (five resolves) from the Red Fort, which included freedom from symbols of slavery. Shah stated that in the next three years, three new criminal laws— Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023- will be fully operational in every police station across all states, ensuring that justice can be delivered within three years in any case in the Supreme Court.
He described these new laws as the biggest reform of the 21st century, emphasizing that India’s legal system will be globally modernized, particularly in terms of technology.
The Home Minister also spoke about the government’s proactive approach to disaster management, shifting from a relief-centric to a rescue-centered strategy. He highlighted increased allocations to disaster response funds and the development of early warning systems and mobile applications for disaster preparedness.
Finally, Shah touched upon initiatives for inter-state cooperation, border security through the Vibrant Village Programme, and the establishment of land ports, and the transparent process for the Padma Awards. He reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting all Indian languages while emphasizing the unifying role of Hindi.
Speaking on the language controversy, Shah said that the Modi government established the Indian Language Section under the Department of Official Language, to work towards promoting and strengthening all Indian languages while asserting that Hindi does not compete with any Indian language; rather, Hindi is a friend to all Indian languages. Hindi strengthens all Indian languages, and all Indian languages, in turn, strengthen Hindi.
In a political message to the opposition parties especially Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Shah said, some people are using language as a cover to hide their scams and corruption.