Amit Shah: Age, Height, Caste, Wife, Profession, Family, Biography & More

Amit Shah Quick Info

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Biography – Wiki

Unveiling the lesser-known facets of Amit Shah’s life

Amit Shah’s Early Life

1. Birth and Family Background
   • Born on October 22, 1964, in Mumbai, Amit Anil Chandra Shah hails from a Gujarati Hindu family belonging to the Baniya caste.
   • His great-grandfather held the position of Nagarseth (Capital city chief) in the small state of Mansa.
   • His father, Anil Chandra Shah, a successful businessman from Mansa, operated a thriving PVC pipe business.
2. Educational Journey and Early Career
   • Completed his schooling in Mehsana and pursued a degree in biochemistry at CU Shah Science College in Ahmedabad.
   • Graduated with a BSc degree in biochemistry and subsequently joined his father’s business.
   • Also gained experience as a stockbroker and worked in co-operative banks in Ahmedabad.
3. Involvement with RSS and Connection with Narendra Modi
   • Amit Shah has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since childhood, actively participating in neighborhood shakhas (branches) as a boy.
   • Formally became an RSS swayamsevak (volunteer) during his college days in Ahmedabad.
   • His initial encounter with Narendra Modi occurred in 1982 through the Ahmedabad RSS circles when Modi was an RSS pracharak (propagator) overseeing youth activities in the city.

Amit Shah’s Personal Life

• Amit Shah is wedded to Sonal Shah, and together they have a son named Jay. 
• Unfortunately, Shah experienced a personal loss when his mother passed away due to an illness on June 8, 2010. 
• Described by those close to him as someone who prefers not to engage in social activities, Shah has six sisters, with two residing in Chicago. 
• In September 2019, he underwent surgery for a lipoma located at the back of his neck. 
• On August 2, 2020, Shah tested positive for COVID-19, leading to his admission to the hospital.

Unknown facts about Amit Shah

• Amit Shah had a versatile professional background, having worked as a stockbroker and also contributing to the co-operative banks in Ahmedabad.
• In 1982, Shah had his first meeting with Narendra Modi in the Ahmedabad RSS circles, initiating a significant political connection.
• Known beyond politics, Shah has a love for chess, evident from his role as the president of the Gujarat Chess Association.
• Shah showcased his strategic acumen by managing the election campaigns of prominent leaders like Lal Krishna Advani in 1991, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1996, and Narendra Modi in the historic 2014 elections.
• His son, Jay Shah, holds an engineering degree from Nirma University and serves as the joint secretary of the Gujarat Chess Association.
• On 9 August 2023, during the Lok Sabha no-confidence motion debate, Amit Shah achieved a significant milestone by breaking former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s 2-hour 12-minute record from 1965. Shah delivered a speech lasting 2 hours and 13 minutes, focusing on the government’s achievements, addressing the opposition, and discussing the 2023 Manipur violence.

Criticism of Amit Shah

During his tenure as a general secretary of the BJP, Amit Shah faced criticism for his stance on Hindutva, allegedly urging Hindu voters to reject advocates of minority rights. Additionally, he opposed Narendra Modi’s efforts to foster reconciliation with the Muslim community. Shah played a pivotal role in the enactment of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act in 2003, requiring approval from a district magistrate for religious conversions in the state, particularly those from Hinduism to other religions. While Shah portrayed the legislation as a safeguard against forced conversions, critics argued that it undermined the principles of the Indian Constitution. Notably, between 2011 and 2016, nearly half of the applications for religious conversion in Gujarat were rejected by the local government.

In 2014, Shah faced restrictions imposed by the Election Commission (EC) in Uttar Pradesh, prohibiting him from conducting public processions, marches, gatherings, and roadshows due to speeches deemed offensive to the religious sentiments of various communities. In 2018, Shah likened infiltrators to termites in Bengal’s soil and suggested a harsh approach, stating that a BJP government would systematically remove infiltrators and cast them into the Bay of Bengal.

The year 2019 brought international scrutiny, with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressing concerns about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. USCIRF urged the US administration to consider sanctions against Shah if the Indian parliament passed the bill. The commission criticized the legislation, asserting that it contradicted India’s history of secular pluralism and constitutional principles by excluding Muslims from the citizenship criteria based on religion. In response, the Indian external affairs ministry countered these claims, stating that the bill aimed to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities and did not seek to strip citizenship based on religion.

Amit Shah’s Controversies

1. Sohrabuddin Case (2010)
Amit Shah faced serious allegations in 2010, accused of orchestrating extrajudicial killings, specifically targeting Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kauser Bi, and their associate Tulsiram Prajapati. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) asserted that Shah was involved in eliminating Sheikh, who was reportedly extorting protection money from marble traders in Rajasthan. The CBI presented phone call records indicating Shah’s communication with implicated police officers during the victims’ custody. Shah dismissed the charges as politically motivated, emphasizing his role in keeping Gujarat’s police encounters at a low rate during his tenure as Home Minister. Despite the controversy, Shah was not charged in the Ishrat Jahan case, where police officer D.G. Vanzara was also implicated.

Shah’s arrest in connection with the Sohrabuddin case in July 2010 significantly impacted his political career. Although granted bail by the Gujarat High Court in October 2010, he faced subsequent legal challenges and was forcibly exiled from Gujarat until 2012. The Supreme Court eventually granted him bail, and Shah returned to politics, winning the 2012 Assembly election from the Naranpura constituency. In 2014, he was effectively discharged from the Sohrabuddin case by a special CBI court citing insufficient evidence and political motivations behind the accusations.

2. Snoopgate (2013)
In 2013, Shah faced accusations of ordering illegal surveillance on a woman in 2009 during his tenure as the home minister. Taped audio conversations between Shah and police officer GL Singhal were leaked, revealing the use of state machinery to surveil the woman and suspended IAS officer Pradeep Sharma. The calls referred to a higher authority as “Saheb,” believed to be Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Shah denied the allegations, attributing them to political propaganda. The Snoopgate case led to demands for an investigation by BJP’s political opponents. However, in May 2014, the woman approached the Supreme Court, stating that the surveillance was based on a “personal request,” expressing gratitude to the Gujarat government for ensuring her safety, and requested the court to block any investigation to protect her privacy.

3. Amit Shah’s Politics and Hindu-Muslim Divisions
Amit Shah’s political career has been marked by controversies, including the Sohrabuddin case and the Snoopgate allegations. These incidents have contributed to the perception of Shah as a polarizing figure, and his politics, particularly highlighted by the Citizenship Amendment Bill, has faced criticism for alleged anti-Muslim bias. Critics argue that Shah’s views on Muslims have been evident throughout his political journey.

Amit Shah: A Saga of Success

In the intricate tapestry of Indian politics, Amit Shah emerges not only as a prominent figure but as a strategist, leader, and political luminary. From his early days associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to becoming the Home Minister of India, Shah’s journey is a testament to resilience, strategic brilliance, and unwavering commitment. His foray into electoral management, steering crucial campaigns, and his influence in shaping political landscapes underscore his exceptional acumen. Despite controversies, Shah’s ability to navigate complex scenarios and his impact on crucial policies, as seen in the revocation of Article 370 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, showcase his statesmanship. As a man with an extensive and diverse career background, a penchant for chess, and a family steeped in political and chess affiliations, Amit Shah’s narrative is one of multifaceted success, embodying a remarkable tale of determination and triumph in the intricate realm of Indian politics.

Amit Shah – Presence and Activity on Social Media.

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Frequently Asked Questions

References/Sources

1. Stardom Networth
2. Realty Nxt
3. Times of India
4. The Wire