Amit Shah, born on October 22, 1964, in Mumbai, is a prominent Indian politician and central BJP leader. Shah is presently serving as the Union Minister of Home Affairs from May 2019 onwards and has played an integral role in designing India's domestic security policy and the organizational framework of the BJP.
Early Life and Education
Shah spent his childhood in Mansa, a Gujarat town, where he had his initial education. He then took a degree in biochemistry from Ahmedabad's CU Shah Science College. His early exposure to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) set the foundation for his politics.
Political Rise in Gujarat
Shah's political journey started when he was connected with the RSS and subsequently the BJP. He rose to prominence in Gujarat politics as a personal aide to then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Shah served in several portfolios in the Gujarat government, such as Home, Transport, and Law.
Legal Controversies
Shah was arrested in 2010 in connection with the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case but subsequently acquitted as there was no evidence against him. Another controversy, named "Snoopgate," had been over unauthorized tapping but did not land her in legal trouble.
National Political Strategy
Shah's political wisdom was on display in the 2014 general elections when he was instrumental in BJP's sweeping victory. He was made BJP President in 2014 and set about strengthening the party base throughout India, with consequent electoral gains in a number of states.
Tenure as Union Home Minister
As Home Minister, Shah has been a witness to numerous important policy announcements:
•Repeal of Article 370: The government, in August 2019, scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, putting it on par with the rest of India.
• Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Enacted in December 2019, the CAA aimed to provide citizenship to minorities who have been persecuted in neighboring countries, triggering discussions throughout the nation.
• Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022: The proposed bill aimed to update criminal identification procedures allows the collection of biometric details of certain categories of persons.
Recent Challenges
In April 2025, a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed at least 26. Shah traveled to the area to evaluate the situation and speak with victims' families. The attack generated political backlash, with some opposition leaders demanding his resignation.
Personal Life
Amit Shah is married to Sonal Shah and has a son, Jay Shah, who is a cricket administrator. He is known to be an organizational and strategizing kind of guy, and he remains a key figure in Indian politics.
