New Delhi, 25 August: Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence that despite the fierce criticism of the opposition, the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be passed.
The bill proposes to automatically remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Ministers, if arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days, the sentence of five years or more imprisonment is accused.
The bill has been sent to a JPC for detailed investigation, which includes 31 members of both houses of Parliament. The committee will investigate the bill and provide recommendations before voting.
Speaking to ANI, Amit Shah defended the bill, stating that it is aimed at maintaining “constitutional morality” and public trust, emphasizing that the bill will be equally applicable to all leaders, including the ruling party people.
“I am sure it will be passed. There will be many people in the Congress party and in the opposition who will support morality and maintain moral grounds …” he said.
“The Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in this … Earlier, Indira Gandhi brought the 39th amendment (to protect the President, VP, PM, and President from the Judicial Review by the Indian courts) … Narendra Modi has made a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign.”
Shah launched the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to remove ministers from the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Office, if he is arrested and detained for 30 days on charges of imprisonment of five years or more.
Bill has provoked intensive debate, in which the opposition has accused political objectives to destabilize non-BJP governments.
Amit Shah rejected the opposition’s claim that the government could pressurize the courts to delay bail under the 130th Amendment Bill.
“… our court also understands the seriousness of the law. When someone has to resign after 30 days, the court will decide whether the person should get bail or not. When the matter went to the High Court, it was argued that Arvind Kejriwal should resign in jail. Or the government could not run the constitution while the constitution was made in this country, when the constitution was made, the constitution of the constitution was not the case of the constitution. Will go and become CM from jail … ”Union HM Amit Shah said in the 130th Amendment Bill.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism, Shah clarified that the bill does not target a particular party or leader and insisted that the courts would act as an inquiry against any misuse.
He said, “Anyone can go to the court and ask for an order to register an FIR. During the UPA government, several investigations were initiated at the behest of the court. I can name at least 12 cases where the court directed the CBI to investigate,” he said.
Asked about Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Shah said that he was granted bail within 30 days.
He said, “He granted bail (within 30 days), and I am confident that he should have resigned at the time. He also handed over in his resignation when people opposed him. Now, he would have to give his resignation legally,” he said.
Shah also clarified that the bill provides fairness, which allows any leader to grant bail, even after 30 days, to take oath and return to office.
“They can take an oath after getting bail. Our main point is that no one can run the government from jail. If they get bail within 40 days, they can take the oath. They may believe that they can get bail once, they can return to their posts,” Shah said.
On the boycott of TMC’s Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Shah said that the government has given him a proper opportunity to participate.
“What we can do? We are asking them to join and participate. It is not right to reject the rules of Parliament and then everything is expected to happen on your terms. The government is giving them a chance, but if they do not accept it, we cannot do anything else. If they refuse to join JPC, what can we do?” He said.
He stressed that JPC is important and they should reflect the ideas of all sides.
“This is an important bill, and the opinion of every party in JPC should be heard. If the opposition does not support the bill for the next four years, will the country stop working? It will not happen. It will not happen. We are only allowing them to share their thoughts, and if they don’t choose, the public is watching,” Shah said. (AI)
