-Ravi Prakash
A fresh debate is gathering pace in Delhi’s political circles, centred on a question few would have dared ask until recently: has Amit Shah begun to weaken politically? Long regarded as the most powerful Home Minister in Indian politics — a leader who never retreats under pressure — Shah is now facing speculation over whether he has taken a political step back. Even as opposition parties demand that he appear in Parliament and face them “if he has the guts,” questions are being raised over why Shah has kept his distance from Parliament sessions. Observers are also asking why a recent development at Jantar Mantar in the national capital snowballed into such a major political controversy, and why the RSS leadership — particularly chief Mohan Bhagwat — appears to be distancing itself from Shah over his handling of the Gen-Z protests. At the centre of it all lies the question of whether Amit Shah’s political reputation is now taking a hit.
Sources say these are not merely rumours. The debate traces back to an analytical article by veteran journalist Harish Khare, published in The Wire, titled “Is Amit Shah’s Meltdown a Work in Progress?” It should be clarified that the piece does not claim Shah’s political downfall is complete — rather, it raises a political argument that has emerged at a particularly sensitive moment. Over the years, Shah has cultivated a distinctive political image: a leader who does not yield to pressure, does not back down, and consistently operates from a position of aggression. The pertinent question now is why such a leader’s current standing has become the subject of serious debate.
A Reputation Built on Confidence
Amit Shah’s political approach has long been defined by unwavering self-assurance — whether in confronting the opposition, managing internal security, or engaging in direct political battles with other nations. He has rarely, if ever, been seen to retreat. This reputation for drawing strength even from confrontation is part of what elevated him within the BJP’s ranks.
However, as Khare notes in his analysis, Shah’s continued absence from Parliament sessions sits at odds with this established image. Questions raised by the opposition over his non-appearance have fuelled fresh debate about a leader who has historically shown no hesitation in confronting rivals directly.
Since assuming charge as Union Home Minister in 2019, Shah rapidly consolidated his influence across the administrative machinery, intelligence agencies, senior police leadership, and the national security establishment. Sources indicate that senior officials, Directors General of Police, commissioners, and political editors who met with him were often struck by his clarity, strategic vision, and firm stance on security matters. This reputation as a Home Minister demanding speed and strictness from state institutions helped cement his position as the second most powerful figure in government after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The notable shift now, however, is that questions over whether this image has dimmed are emerging not only from opposition ranks but reportedly from within the Sangh Parivar itself.
RSS Chief Voices Displeasure Over Gen-Z Protest Handling
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has openly expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which Delhi Police and security forces handled recent Gen-Z youth protests. Those who gathered at Jantar Mantar were, by most accounts, not uniformly political adversaries of the BJP — many were reportedly Hindu youth who, out of frustration with the government or the Prime Minister, may have overstepped in their rhetoric. But the government’s response, and the police’s tough handling of the demonstrators, has since evolved into a significant political controversy.
Critics allege that police acted with excessive force against the young protesters, and that this conduct was emboldened by political backing from senior officials. As the Union Home Minister — with direct political oversight of the police apparatus — Amit Shah is being held accountable for these allegations. There is also an argument that the political fallout from the police action is affecting Prime Minister Modi’s public image. Since internal security falls squarely within the Home Ministry’s jurisdiction, however, that political responsibility cannot be separated from the Home Minister himself. As a result, pressure on Shah is mounting from two directions simultaneously — from the RSS on one side, and from opposition figures such as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the other.
Perception, Power, and the Road Ahead
Amit Shah was once widely described as a modern-day “Chanakya” — a master strategist. But in politics, perception carries as much weight as institutional power. Once the perception that a leader is unbeatable begins to erode, political equations can shift rapidly.
To be clear, there is currently no evidence to suggest that Prime Minister Modi intends to remove Shah from his post, or that his political career is nearing its end. He remains one of the most powerful figures in the country. Nonetheless, recent developments have brought five key questions to the forefront:
1. Has the Jantar Mantar episode damaged Amit Shah’s political standing?
2. Is the RSS genuinely unhappy with the government’s approach to the youth protests?
3. Is the BJP’s internal perception of Shah as an unassailable leader beginning to weaken?
4. Can the Modi-Shah leadership duo effectively withstand this mounting political pressure?
5. Is this a passing political disturbance, or does it signal a more significant turning point in Amit Shah’s political trajectory?
Only time will provide the answer.