Home Minister Amit Shah Addresses BSF's 61st Raising Day Parade
Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a significant address during the 61st Raising Day parade of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Bhuj, Kutch district of Gujarat on Friday. The senior minister made strong statements connecting the recent Bihar assembly election results with the issue of cross-border infiltration and electoral integrity.
Bihar Election Results: A Clear Mandate Against Infiltration
Amit Shah characterized the Bihar poll outcome as a direct public mandate against infiltrators who attempt to influence India's democratic processes. He expressed concern that certain political parties were actively working to protect infiltrators and undermine the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway across the country.
"The BSF is working tirelessly to stop infiltration. This is crucial not only for national security but also to prevent our democratic system from being contaminated by infiltrators," Shah stated during his speech. "Unfortunately, some political parties are attempting to sabotage the process of identifying and removing these infiltrators."
The Home Minister specifically mentioned that these parties were protesting against the Election Commission's SIR process. He made the government's position unequivocally clear: "We will remove every infiltrator from this country. Only Indian citizens have the right to decide who becomes Chief Minister of a state or Prime Minister of the country. No infiltrator has the right to pollute our democratic systems or influence elections."
BSF's Remarkable Achievements and Sacrifices
During the ceremonial event, Shah presented medals to numerous BSF officers and personnel, acknowledging their service and sacrifices. He shared impressive statistics about the force's accomplishments since its establishment on December 1, 1965.
The BSF has seized approximately 18,000 kg of narcotics with an estimated street value of Rs 12,95,000 crore. The force has suffered the loss of 2,013 personnel in the line of duty, not only while guarding India's borders but also during United Nations missions and operations against terrorists and naxalites.
Currently, the BSF maintains a strength of 2.76 lakh personnel and officers across 193 battalions. The force is responsible for protecting India's 2,289-kilometer border with Pakistan and 4,095-kilometer border with Bangladesh.
Operation Sindoor: A Strong Message to Pakistan
Shah referenced Operation Sindoor as a prime example of India's determined response to terrorism. He recalled the "cowardly terrorist attack backed by Pakistan on tourists in Pahalgam" where unarmed tourists were questioned about their religion before being killed.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided that a 'muh tod jawab' (befitting reply) would be given," Shah declared. "When we responded during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan misinterpreted our attack on terrorists as an attack on them. When the Pakistan Army began its movements, the BSF left no stone unturned in delivering an appropriate response."
The operation resulted in the destruction of nine Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba facilities, including headquarters, launch pads, and training camps. Shah noted that Pakistan declared a unilateral ceasefire within days due to the actions of BSF and Indian Army, sending a clear global message about the consequences of challenging Indian borders and forces.
Tragically, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiyaz Ahmed and Sipahi Deepak made the ultimate sacrifice during this operation.
Commitment to Eradicate Naxalism and Modernize BSF
The Home Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to eliminate Naxalism from India by the end of the current financial year. "The day is not far when this country will be free from the scourge of Naxalism. Our resolve is that by March 31, 2026, we want to liberate the country from Naxalism and open development pathways for our tribal communities," Shah announced.
He highlighted the BSF's significant contributions in this effort, particularly in Chhattisgarh where 127 Maoists surrendered, 73 were arrested, and 22 were neutralized with BSF assistance.
Regarding BSF modernization and welfare, Shah declared the next year would be dedicated to upgrading the force and improving conditions for personnel and their families. "The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that BSF will be modernized to become the world's most advanced and capable border security force within five years," he promised.
The government is addressing three key welfare issues: health services, housing satisfaction ratio, and extended duty hours. Additionally, the e-border suraksha project has completed trial stages and is scheduled for implementation within the next year, with complete land border coverage targeted within five years.
Tribute to Kutch's Resilience
Shah paid special tribute to the people of Kutch for their centuries of resilience in harsh environmental conditions. "From the 1960s, in every attack on the country, the people of Kutch have faced it all. In many wars, they have walked in lockstep with the Army and BSF to secure our nation," he remarked.
He specifically acknowledged the women who repaired airstrips during the 1971 war and expressed pride in the region's remarkable recovery and development following the devastating earthquake.
The event was attended by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Kutch MP Vinod Chavda, and BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary, among other dignitaries.
