Union Home Minister Amit Shah, responding to a discussion on the functioning of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, underscored the Modi government’s commitment to national security and law enforcement reforms over the past decade. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing long-overdue changes in the MHA to strengthen internal security.


Shah acknowledged the contributions of security personnel, stating, “Efforts have been made to highlight many aspects of the work of the Home Ministry. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt respect to all the state police and central paramilitary forces who have sacrificed their lives to secure the internal security and borders of the country after its independence. It is because of their supreme sacrifices that the country, after 76 years of freedom, is now playing a leading role in the world.”


The Home Minister asserted that while law and order remains a state subject under the Constitution, several crimes—including narcotics, cybercrime, organised crime gangs, and hawala transactions—transcend state borders. He explained the necessity of reforms, saying, “There is now a situation where several kinds of crime are both inter-state and multi-state. Some crimes are even perpetrated from outside the country. Keeping all this in view, it becomes essential to make changes in MHA. I say this with pride that in 10 years, PM Narendra Modi made long-overdue changes to the MHA at once to ensure national security.”


Shah highlighted the security challenges faced by the country before 2014, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Northeast, and Left-Wing Extremist areas. He noted that “terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, as well as left extremism, were impeding the country’s growth. Around 92,000 people lost their lives due to these threats over four decades.”


Focusing on J&K, Shah recalled the security situation before 2014, stating that “there were frequent terrorist attacks from our neighbouring country, bomb blasts, murders, and it was impossible to celebrate a festival without concern.” He criticised previous governments for adopting a lenient approach, saying, “The central government would stay silent, people were afraid to speak, and there were dilemmas and fears.”


‘Terrorists Were Glorified With Large Funeral Processions, Family Members Would Get Govt Jobs’: Amit Shah In RS


The Home Minister credited PM Modi for implementing a “zero tolerance policy against terrorism,” citing the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, as a landmark decision.


Shah contrasted the Modi government’s swift action on security with previous administrations, recalling the Uri and Pulwama attacks. “Terrorists used to enter Kashmir from the neighbouring country, they used to execute bomb blasts and murders here. There was not one festival that used to be celebrated without any worry. Central Governments had a flexible attitude. They used to be quiet and were scared of speaking...They were worried about their vote bank. After PM Narendra Modi came to power, we displayed a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. There were attacks even after we came to power - on Uri and Pulwama...Within 10 days, we entered Pakistan and gave them a reply through airstrike and surgical strikes...The zero-tolerance policy against terrorism started there,” he remarked.


“We all know that Article 370 was a symbol of Kashmir’s separatism. However, I want to sincerely thank our Constitution makers, who were very farsighted. The vision of our Constitution makers was clear—there can be only one prime minister, one constitution, and one flag for the country. The Modi government fulfilled this vision,” Shah stated.






He further highlighted the decline in terrorism-related incidents, noting, “Between 2004 and 2014, there were a total of 7,217 terrorism-related incidents, which dropped to 2,242 between 2014 and 2024. The total number of deaths decreased by about 70%, civilian deaths decreased by 81%, and security forces’ deaths decreased by 50%. Between 2010 and 2014, on average, 2,654 incidents of organised stone-pelting occurred every year. In 2024, no one has the courage to do even one.”


Shah also pointed out changes in Kashmir’s social fabric post-Article 370 abrogation. “Earlier, terrorists were glorified with large funeral processions. Today, more terrorists are eliminated, and not a single procession is held. When someone became a terrorist, their family members would often get government jobs and run networks. We worked to remove many relatives of terrorists from government jobs and sent a strong message.”


Amit Shah On Government Initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir


Highlighting developmental efforts, Shah mentioned, “40,000 government jobs were provided during 2019-24 in Jammu and Kashmir, 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities were created, and skilling clubs are operational.” He also noted changes in public life, adding, “Cinema halls in Kashmir now remain open during evenings, a G20 meeting was held, and the Muharram procession took place.”


The Home Minister also referenced cultural and religious changes, stating, “The Krishna Janmashtami festival was celebrated with enthusiasm at Lal Chowk. After decades, Diwali and Saraswati Puja were performed at the Ma Saradha Devi temple. The Kheer Bhawani’s Jyeshta Ashtami festival was celebrated after 22 years.”


Shah reiterated the Modi government’s commitment to national security and development, asserting that “for the elimination of terrorism, Leftist insurgency, and Northeast insurgency, never was a well-planned effort made before. PM Narendra Modi made those efforts after coming to power.”


"The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were conducted peacefully, without a single shot fired or even a complaint of booth rigging. There was a time when political leaders from Delhi only returned with certificates of victory, while people remained indoors out of fear. Today, 98% of voters participate in elections without any booth rigging complaints or violence," he recalled.


Acknowledging the sacrifices of the freedom struggle, the Union Home Minster said, "It is well known that we gained independence after a long struggle. Regardless of past governments, even Congress, no administration can bring development everywhere within 5-25 years. We are making efforts, though some areas might have been left behind. But that does not mean we disregard the system, the Constitution and let the government remain helpless while thousands are sacrificed."


He asserted that the government will not let "terrorism supported by political ideology" flourish in the country.


On ending Naxalism, he reiterated his pledge of eradicating it saying, "I say it in this House with responsibility that naxalism in this country will be eliminated by 31 March 2026."