Amit Shah Birthday: PM Modi Hails Anti-Maoist, Anti-Drug Efforts

Just two days ago, on Dussehra, Shah attended a Ravana Dahan programme in Ludhiana, Punjab, where an effigy symbolising drug abuse was burnt alongside Ravana, underlining the government’s push on the issue.

Early Years and Entry Into Politics

Amit Shah was born in 1964 in Mumbai to Gujarati parents. At 16, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and began working with its student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

His first organisational role came in 1989, when he was made secretary of the BJP’s Ahmedabad unit.

Rise in Gujarat Politics

Shah contested his first election in 1997 from the Sarkhej Assembly constituency and went on to serve as an MLA until 2017, later representing Naranpura. In 2002, he was made a minister in the Gujarat Cabinet, working closely with then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

On the National Stage

In 2014, Shah became the National President of the BJP and is widely seen as one of the party’s chief strategists. He is the Member of Parliament from Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Since 2019, he has served as India’s 31st Minister of Home Affairs, the longest-serving holder of the office in the country’s history. In July 2021, he also became India’s first Minister of Cooperation.

Key Milestones

His tenure as Home Minister has included the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, several internal security reforms and a focus on cooperative federalism.

Why It Matters

The Prime Minister’s message reflects the close working relationship between the two leaders, which dates back to their years in Gujarat. It also signals the government’s continuing emphasis on internal security and anti-drug measures as key priorities.

What Comes Next

Wishes from leaders across parties and states are expected to pour in through the day as the Home Minister marks his birthday.

This story is based on a post shared on PM Narendra Modi’s official X account, with inputs from IANS.