Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday delivered a sharp warning to Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, declaring that any attack on Indian soil will be met with a forceful and decisive military response. Speaking at an election rally in Bihar, Shah asserted that India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward terrorism and will not hesitate to retaliate with full might.

Reaffirming the government’s hardline stance against cross-border terrorism, Shah said, “If terrorists from Pakistan fire bullets, they will receive cannon shells in return — ‘goli ka jawab goley se diya jaega.’” The comment, loaded with political symbolism, came amid ongoing election campaigning in Bihar, where national security has emerged as one of the central themes in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) messaging.

Defence Corridor and Bihar’s Role

In his speech, Shah also highlighted the Modi government’s plan to establish a Defence Industrial Corridor in Bihar, a move he said would contribute both to the state’s economic development and to India’s defence preparedness. The Home Minister declared that explosives and weapons manufactured in this corridor would be used to safeguard India’s borders and strike back at Pakistan-backed terror outfits.

“The Prime Minister is setting up a Defence Corridor in Bihar,” Shah said. “If Pakistan-sponsored terrorists repeat their mistake, the weapons and ammunition made here will be used against them.” He underlined that this initiative would not only boost industrial and employment growth in the state but also symbolize Bihar’s contribution to India’s defence capabilities.

Remembering Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor

Referring to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Shah recounted the government’s swift response. “Terrorists from Pakistan attacked our citizens in Pahalgam. They wiped off the sindoor from the foreheads of our mothers and sisters. Prime Minister Modi avenged this attack within 20 days through ‘Operation Sindoor,’” Shah said, citing the military operation in which the Indian Army neutralised the terrorists across the border.

He lauded the Indian security forces for their bravery and reaffirmed that the current government will continue to give the armed forces a free hand in combating terrorism. “Unlike earlier governments, we do not believe in tolerating terrorism or engaging in half-hearted diplomacy. India today speaks in the language that terrorists understand best,” Shah declared.

Attacking the Opposition on Security and Governance

A major portion of Shah’s address was dedicated to contrasting the Modi government’s record on national security with that of the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Without naming specific Congress leaders, Shah accused previous governments of lacking the will to act decisively against terror. “Earlier governments used to plead for peace when terrorists attacked. Under Narendra Modi, we hit back with power and precision,” he said.

Shah also targeted RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav, accusing them of glorifying lawlessness and individuals who, according to him, represented the dark days of Bihar’s past. “Lalu and his party raise slogans like ‘Shahabuddin amar rahe’ and dream of bringing back jungle raj. But the people of Bihar will never allow this,” Shah asserted, referring to the late Mohammad Shahabuddin, the RJD strongman from Siwan who was convicted in multiple criminal cases.

Warning Against Return of “Jungle Raj”

Shah urged voters to prevent what he described as a return to the era of “lawlessness and terror” that, according to him, marked the RJD’s earlier rule in the state. He appealed to the electorate to “press the button with the lotus symbol” on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to ensure that Bihar remains on the path of stability and development.

“The people of Bihar have already experienced the destruction caused by jungle raj once. This election is not just about forming a government; it is about preserving Bihar’s dignity, progress, and security,” Shah said. He framed the election as a choice between “Modi’s guarantee of safety and prosperity” and the “chaos and corruption of the past.”

Criticism Over RJD’s EC Complaint

In a further swipe at the opposition, Shah accused the RJD of trying to block welfare initiatives launched by the BJP-led government. Referring to a complaint filed by the RJD with the Election Commission seeking to halt a ₹10,000 benefit for ‘Jeevika Didis’—women members of self-help groups in Bihar—Shah said that no political party could reverse the empowerment measures implemented under the Modi government.

“The RJD has complained to the Election Commission to stop the ₹10,000 aid being given to Jeevika Didis. But I want to tell Lalu Prasad Yadav that even three generations of his family won’t be able to snatch away these funds,” Shah declared. He emphasized that such programs were designed to empower women and strengthen rural livelihoods, accusing the opposition of playing politics over welfare.

Modi Government’s National Security Doctrine

Throughout his speech, Shah reiterated that the Modi government’s approach to national security is marked by decisive action and deterrence. He cited examples such as the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and robust border management measures as evidence of a government unwilling to compromise with forces that threaten India’s sovereignty.

“Under Prime Minister Modi, India does not tolerate attacks on its soil. We have shown that the era of silence and submission is over,” Shah said. “Now, India answers every bullet with a shell, every provocation with precision, and every threat with resolve.”

Rallying Support for BJP in Bihar

As the election campaign intensifies, the Home Minister’s speech was designed to rally BJP’s traditional voter base by intertwining themes of nationalism, development, and law-and-order. His remarks positioned Bihar as both a beneficiary and a contributor to India’s defence ecosystem through the proposed industrial corridor, while framing national security as a shared responsibility across all states.

Analysts view Shah’s statement as part of the BJP’s broader electoral strategy — combining patriotic rhetoric with local development promises. By linking Bihar’s economic prospects to India’s national defence ambitions, Shah sought to present the state as a key participant in the country’s rise as a global power.

Conclusion

Amit Shah’s fiery remarks from the Bihar rally underscore the BJP’s dual campaign plank — a strong national security narrative coupled with regional economic promises. His declaration that “goli ka jawab goley se diya jaega” was not just a statement of military resolve but also a political message aimed at reinforcing the image of a government that acts firmly against its adversaries.

By invoking both national pride and Bihar’s developmental aspirations, Shah sought to frame the upcoming election as a referendum on security, stability, and strength. The speech, rich in symbolism and rhetoric, reflected the Home Minister’s characteristic blend of political aggression and strategic messaging — a reminder that, for the BJP, the road to electoral victory runs as much through national sentiment as through promises of local empowerment.