Union Home Minister Amit Shah, one of the most formidable political administrators in contemporary India, has signalled a quieter post-retirement future, one rooted in ancient texts and the earth beneath.
Addressing women cooperative workers and activists from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh at the Sahkar Samvaad in Ahmedabad, Shah reflected on his personal vision for life beyond politics. “I have decided that after retirement, I will dedicate the rest of my life to the Vedas, Upanishads, and natural farming,” he said, revealing a spiritual and agrarian path in sharp contrast to the high-stakes realm he currently inhabits.
At sixty, Shah is not only Home Minister but also helms the Ministry of Cooperation. His remarks were striking for both their introspective tone and their advocacy for a return to nature, especially in a time of growing concern over the health impact of conventional agricultural methods.
“Wheat grown with chemical fertilisers often leads to cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid issues. We didn’t know much about this earlier. Eating food free from chemical fertilisers means you may not need any medicines,” Shah warned.
He expressed grave concerns over the widespread use of synthetic inputs in agriculture, arguing that natural farming holds the key not just to human health but to ecological resilience. “When it rains heavily, water usually flows out of the farm. But with organic farming, not a single drop goes out – it seeps into the soil. That’s because natural farming allows catchways to form. Excessive use of fertilisers has destroyed those catchways.”
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Drawing from personal experience, Shah claimed natural farming on his own land had yielded significantly better harvests. “I have been practising natural farming on my own farm, and the yields are nearly 1.5 times higher,” he shared.
His observations extended to soil biology as well. “Earthworms produce natural fertilisers. But synthetic fertilisers have killed them off. These creatures are nature’s own factories of urea, DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), and MPK (Monopotassium Phosphate),” he lamented.
Shah’s remarks underlined his longstanding interest in agriculture and rural development. Recounting his dual ministerial roles, he said, “When I became the Home Minister of the country, everyone told me I had received a very important department. But the day I was appointed Cooperation Minister, I felt I had been given an even greater responsibility – one that serves the country’s farmers, the poor, villages, and animals.”
While he did not elaborate on how he would study the Vedas and Upanishads, his comments reflected a growing trend among political figures returning to spiritual and agrarian pursuits after decades in public life.
The event also featured testimonials from women cooperative workers, many of whom have embraced sustainable agriculture models. Their stories, together with Shah’s message, painted a picture of a rural future grounded in traditional knowledge and ecological wisdom — one the Minister seems eager to join once his political innings draws to a close.
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