Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has defended the controversial Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, stressing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has included his own post under its ambit. The proposed law mandates that any Prime Minister, Union Minister, or Chief Minister jailed for over 30 consecutive days for an offence with a minimum five-year sentence must vacate office on the 31st day.
Bill Brings PM’s Role Under Scrutiny
Speaking to ANI, Shah contrasted the bill with the Indira Gandhi–era 39th Amendment, which shielded constitutional posts from judicial review. He said, “PM Modi has brought a constitutional amendment against himself. If the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign.” Shah emphasised that the legislation aims to prevent governance from being run out of prisons, citing past instances where leaders continued issuing orders while incarcerated.
Opposition Calls It a ‘Black Bill’
The Opposition has labelled the bills “draconian” and politically motivated, alleging they could destabilise elected governments and be misused against non-BJP states. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi warned that the measures undermine the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” and likened them to medieval authoritarian practices. Several opposition MPs tore copies of the bills during protests in Parliament.
Shah Counters Criticism
Shah dismissed the allegations, stating the law does not affect a party’s majority but simply replaces a jailed leader with another until release. “Can a PM or CM run the government from jail? This is against the dignity of democracy,” he said. He further clarified that after release, leaders could resume office by taking a fresh oath.
Path Forward
The bills — including the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 — have been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament for further review. Shah urged that disagreements be voiced during committee discussions and final voting, not by preventing presentation in the House.
