HM Shah Lists Gains Against Terror, Naxalism, Drugs

Shah spoke in great detail on how the Modi government has made significant strides in combating internal security threats over the past decade.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

The two-hour comprehensive speech by Home Minister 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.