By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly criticized the Congress party and other opposition groups for opposing three newly introduced bills that seek to remove any Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or minister from office if they remain in custody for 30 consecutive days.
Addressing a massive rally in Gayaji, Bihar, ahead of the state’s upcoming elections, Modi questioned why top political leaders should be allowed to hold office while being detained.
If a government employee is jailed for even 50 hours, they automatically lose their job, whether they are a driver, a clerk, or a peon. Why then should a Chief Minister, a minister, or even the Prime Minister himself be allowed to continue in office while in jail?” the Prime Minister asked.
“Should governments be run from prison? Should tainted leaders retain their positions of power? The people of India expect their representatives to lead by example and uphold the highest moral standards,” he added, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
The Contentious Bills
The three proposed legislations are:
- The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025
- The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Introduced in Parliament this week and referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament, these bills aim to establish stricter accountability standards for elected leaders.
They stipulate that if the Prime Minister, any Union minister, or a Chief Minister is detained for 30 straight days over charges carrying a minimum five-year jail term, they will automatically lose their post on the 31st day of custody.
Opposition Backlash
The move has triggered a stormy debate in Parliament. On Thursday, opposition MPs tore up copies of the draft bills and staged vociferous protests in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the measures violate constitutional principles and undermine the presumption of innocence.
Opposition leaders argue that these laws could be easily weaponized for political gain, enabling the ruling party to topple governments or target rivals.
These bills are not about integrity; they are about control,” a senior opposition leader declared. “This government is trying to turn India into a police state.”
A Nation Divided
The bills have amplified tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition parties at a politically sensitive time.
Analysts say that while the proposals emphasize ethical governance and political accountability, they also raise concerns about potential misuse and the erosion of federal principles.
With the Bihar polls approaching, this legislative confrontation is expected to escalate, shaping the broader political narrative in the months to come.
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