Rajnath Singh

MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS

IT’S A STRANGE BAROMETER but success or failure in India’s home ministry is often measured by levels of violence within the country. This is because internal security is among the ministry’s primary responsibilities. Rajnath Singh spelt out his counter-Maoist strategy, ‘Samadhan’, on May 8 at a meeting of states affected by leftwing extremism. It came three years into his term, but the meeting showcased Singh as a team player who lined up cabinet colleagues to articulate a security and development paradigm against extremism. A home ministry official points to qualities that have held Singh in good stead in North Block—‘means well, wants to get things done and trusts and delegates’. Singh has always articulated the middle path. Last November, he explained that ISIS radicalisation was not a threat because “people who follow Islam in India love the country”. He believes the Kashmir situation will improve in a year though he is yet to spell out a vision for it.