In the second innings of NDA government, Modi ji has handed over the baton of Home Ministry to his trusted aide and confidant, Shri Amit Shah ji. In my opinion, this is an excellent allocation of portfolio and no one else could do justice to it. Amit ji has served as the home minister of Gujarat when Modiji was the chief minister of Gujarat and comes armed with significant experience.

With Amit Bhai Shah ji as the home minister, we can expect strong reforms and changes in various national security issues. Going by the previous statements of Shri Amit Shah, security and immigration will be the key areas where reform can be expected. I am also hopeful that under his leadership Maoist insurgency, terrorism and the Kashmir issue find more permanent solutions. 

Steps taken by Shri Amit Shah since he assumed office

• Amit Shah ji has already started proving to the people of India that he means serious business. He has recently introduced The National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in Lok Sabha. This bill will provide more teeth to the existing powers of the National Investigation Agency. Once the bill is passed, NIA will have the authority to investigate offences in relation to (i) human trafficking, (ii) counterfeit currency or bank notes, (iii) manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, (iv) cyber-terrorism, and (v) Explosive Substances Act, 1908. It it my belief that this is a very positive step which will go a long way in enhancing the security of the nation.    

• On the Jammu Kashmir issue, during a recent debate in the Lok Sabha,  Amit ji noted that Article 370 which provides a special status to Jammu and Kashmir is only a temporary article. He reiterated to the house that Article 370 is only a temporary provision in the constitution and not a permanent one. This was said in preamble to the passage of Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019. According to this bill, people residing along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir will also receive benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC).  With this legislation, Modi 2.0 government has made it clear that the government intends to extend all the necessary support to its citizens who are living on the border. It is also a testimony to the fact that such people are being considered as citizens of India eligible for reservations. I wholeheartedly support this move.

• Amit ji has also taken necessary steps to review the security situation in Kashmir. According to the statements made by him in Lok Sabha,  the government has reviewed the security measures in Kashmir. Security protection provided to 919 people has been removed as these people have given various anti-India statements.  Further, the government has spent INR 2307 crore to upgrade security in Jammu and Kashmir. These steps show the intention of this government – Amit ji, under the able leadership of Modiji, will fight out terrorism from Kashmir. I am also certain that under his guidance, the anti-national elements residing in Kashmir will be identified and brought to justice.

• Amit ji also believes in delegating duties so that he can carry out his responsibilities in an efficient manner. He has delegated all the 21 divisions of his ministry, other than reporting by the Intelligence Bureau, to the deputy ministers of State- Kishan Reddy and Nityanand Rai. By doing so, Amitji has shown that he takes guidance from Modiji’s policies on governance. Modiji in the past appealed to his ministry that the cabinet ministers must assign more work to their deputies or ministers of state. It is important that the deputy ministers also feel involved in the governance and do not feel left out. I welcome this move.

• On the issue of illegal immigrants in our country, Amitji has issued a statement on July 17, 2019. He has said that the government will identify every illegal immigrant staying in any part of the country and deport them in accordance with international law norms. This announcement has come in the heels of the National Registry of Citizens which is due to be published by the end of this month. While responding to the questions posed by the opposition, Amitji assured the nation that NRC will be implemented in each and every state of India to weed out illegal immigrants. I am positive that this move will also help in reducing terrorist activities which are routine in the sensitive border areas.

Conclusion

It has only been a few months since Amit ji became the home minister – yet, in this short span of time he has taken a number of key steps to enhance the law and order situation of the country. I am very optimistic that he will continue to bring in the necessary reforms during his tenure for the next four years. I can very confidently say that the future of a strong India is shining.