Amit Shah Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Union Home Minister, PM Modi Lauds His Leadership
- MGMMTeam
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
On August 5, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah etched his name into the history books by becoming India’s longest-serving Home Minister, surpassing the record previously held by senior BJP leader L. K. Advani. Shah’s tenure has now stretched over 2,258 days—a remarkable run that began on May 30, 2019, and continues with renewed vigor following his reappointment on June 10, 2024. His term not only marks a personal achievement but is being hailed as a symbol of the BJP government’s sustained internal security focus.
Celebrations at NDA Parliamentary Meeting
The milestone was commemorated during the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered glowing tributes to Shah’s leadership. Calling it “just the beginning,” Modiji remarked that Shah still has a long path ahead in shaping India's internal governance. He emphasized the Home Minister’s pivotal role in not just ensuring national security but also bringing together the diverse allies of the NDA under a unified vision since 2014.
A resolution was passed in the meeting to formally acknowledge and celebrate this achievement. Modiji, during his speech, highlighted key operations like "Operation Sindoor" and "Operation Mahadev" as examples of Shah's successful handling of internal threats. The timing of the milestone, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, was seen as a symbolic reminder of Shah’s enduring impact on India’s constitutional and political landscape.
Transformational Legacy in Internal Security
Amit Shah’s tenure has been defined by bold, far-reaching decisions that have reshaped the country’s internal security framework. His most historic move remains the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and integrated it more directly into the Indian Union. This decision, long considered politically sensitive, was executed with precision and without widespread unrest—an outcome Shah has often credited to meticulous planning and strong willpower.
Beyond Kashmir, Shah’s approach to tackling insurgency and terrorism has yielded tangible results. Reports indicate that terrorism-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir dropped by 69% and Naxal-related deaths fell by 70% during his tenure. These declines reflect a combination of targeted military operations, intelligence coordination, and developmental outreach in historically volatile regions. Furthermore, Shah has led the charge in resolving long-standing insurgencies in the Northeast, striking peace agreements with several rebel factions and fostering a sense of normalcy in once-restive states.
Driving Legal and Institutional Reform
Shah’s leadership has also ushered in significant legal and administrative reforms. His ministry oversaw the introduction and implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a move that sparked both national support and international criticism. Nevertheless, Shah has defended it as a humanitarian response to persecuted minorities in neighboring countries.
In parallel, his tenure has witnessed an emphasis on modernizing India’s policing systems, boosting surveillance infrastructure, enhancing border security, and reforming outdated criminal laws. The recent overhaul of India's criminal justice system—replacing colonial-era statutes with modern legislation—has been hailed as one of the most transformative moves in decades.
Political Strategy and Administrative Precision
Often called the BJP’s “Chanakya” for his strategic prowess, Shah has also played a key role in consolidating the NDA’s political strength. PM Modi, during the NDA meeting, acknowledged his efforts in harmonizing the alliance and managing complex political dynamics behind the scenes. Whether it was building consensus on sensitive laws or navigating tensions during national crises like the Manipur violence or the Pahalgam terror attack, Shah has emerged as both a political tactician and a crisis manager.
In a recent interview, Shah elaborated on how India under BJP has moved from “despair to optimism,” noting that the past 11 years of governance have restored public faith in leadership and law enforcement. He pointed to economic improvements, national integration efforts, and citizen security as areas where measurable progress has been made.
A Legacy Still in the Making
By overtaking leaders like Advani and Govind Ballabh Pant, Amit Shah has become a figure of continuity in India’s governance—a rare feat in a country often defined by political volatility. His influence stretches beyond the Ministry of Home Affairs, impacting legislative agendas, national security, and the ideological core of the BJP.
What makes Shah’s journey even more compelling is that it is far from over. As Prime Minister Modi said, this milestone is “just the beginning.” With the NDA returning to power for a third term, Shah’s experience, vision, and administrative muscle are expected to shape key decisions in the coming years—especially with challenges such as cybersecurity, border skirmishes, and communal harmony continuing to test the Indian state.
Conclusion: A Historic Role in a Transforming Nation
Amit Shah’s rise to becoming India’s longest-serving Home Minister is not merely about longevity—it is about legacy. His tenure represents a fundamental shift in how India approaches internal security, constitutional reform, and law enforcement modernization. As India navigates its path forward in an increasingly complex world, Shah’s role will likely remain central in defining both the strategy and spirit of national governance.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the methods and policies, there is little doubt that Amit Shah has left an indelible mark on the nation’s political and administrative fabric. And by all accounts, the story of his leadership is still being written.
(Sources: Hindustan Times, NDTV, Moneycontrol)
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