Fiery showdowns, sharp retorts: A look at Amit Shah's most memorable Parliament moments as he turns 62

Union Home Minister Amit Shah turned 62 on Thursday. Over the years, Shah has become one of the BJP's most forceful voices in Parliament, known for his pointed retorts to Opposition leaders and stern responses to interruptions. From declaring that the Opposition would have to listen to him for six years during his maiden parliamentary speech to telling Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy to take over his address, Shah's exchanges in the House have produced several memorable moments. 2018 Shah made his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha on February 5, 2018, as he defended the Narendra Modi government's record and attacked the Congress over its criticism of policies such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST). As Opposition members interrupted him, Shah responded, "Well, you will have to listen to me for the next six years." He also hit back at former Finance Minister P Chidambaram over his remarks on employment and the comparison of selling pakodas with unemployment, saying it was better to earn a living selling pakodas than to remain unemployed. 2019 During a Rajya Sabha debate on extending President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir in July 2019, Shah delivered a stern warning to those he accused of threatening the country's unity. "Our approach is clear, those who talk of breaking India we will respond to them in the same language," he said. 2019 Shah faced repeated interruptions in Parliament in December 2019 while defending the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. During the debate, Shah defended the legislation against accusations that it discriminated on religious grounds. The exchanges reflected the deep divisions in the House over the Bill, which was subsequently passed by Parliament. 2020 In March 2020, Shah and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal clashed during a Rajya Sabha debate on the Delhi riots and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Shah accused the Opposition of misleading Muslims by spreading fears that the CAA would take away their citizenship. Sibal countered that no one was making that claim and raised concerns about the National Population Register (NPR), particularly the possibility of people being marked as doubtful. Shah rejected the allegations, asserting that no documents would be demanded during the NPR exercise and that nobody would be classified as doubtful on citizenship grounds. The exchange came amid heightened political tensions following the violence in northeast Delhi. 2022 During a Lok Sabha debate on drug trafficking in December 2022, Shah was repeatedly interrupted by Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy. Responding to the interruptions, Shah said, "Main baith jaata hoon, aap bhaashan kariye dus minute" -- suggesting that he would sit down and let Roy speak for 10 minutes instead. Shah also told Roy that repeatedly interrupting a speaker did not suit his age and seniority. 2022 Shah offered his own explanation for his forceful speaking style in April 2022, while introducing the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill in the Lok Sabha. "My voice is a little high-pitched. It is my manufacturing defect," he said, insisting that he did not usually lose his temper. Shah added that issues relating to Kashmir were an exception and could make him angry 2025 Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi clashed during a Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms in December last year. Gandhi sought answers on allegations of electoral irregularities, while Shah insisted that he would determine the sequence of his arguments. "The Parliament will not work based on your wishes. I will decide the order in which I say things," Shah said, asking Gandhi to listen to his response before raising further questions. 2026 In April 2026, Shah criticised Gandhi's language during a special session of Parliament. Following remarks by the Congress leader against Prime Minister Narendra Modi that were subsequently expunged. Shah asked Gandhi to learn parliamentary manners from his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other members of his party. "What kind of language was used in this House?" Shah asked, criticising Gandhi's remarks and arguing that sharpness and rudeness of expression did not win hearts. 2026 In March 2026, during a debate on the motion to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Shah questioned Gandhi's participation in parliamentary proceedings and referred to his overseas visits during sessions. "How will you speak here from abroad?" Shah asked, challenging Gandhi's claims that he was not being given adequate opportunities to speak in Parliament.