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The political temperature of the session reached its peak when Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three important bills in the Lok Sabha. Watch an exclusive analysis by Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash
130th Constitution Amendment Bill introduced
New Delhi: The monsoon session of Parliament was adjourned indefinitely on Thursday. From the very beginning of this session, there was uproar, clashes and fierce political debates. The opposition continuously attacked the government on issues like inflation, unemployment, Manipur issue, arrest of opposition leaders and misuse of agencies. At the same time, the government strongly defended its policies and decisions. But the political temperature of the session reached its peak when Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three important bills simultaneously in the Lok Sabha.
Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash said on his 'The MTA Speaks', these three bills not only affected the proceedings of the House but also became the center of political discussion across the country. Among these, the most focused attention was on the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025. If this proposed amendment is implemented, then there can be a big change in the parliamentary politics of India.
While introducing this amendment, the Home Minister said that its purpose is to make the governance system more accountable and transparent. He argued that the soul of democracy will be safe only when the people sitting on constitutional posts are fair and innocent. The government says that if a Prime Minister, Chief Minister or Minister is in jail under serious criminal charges and still remains in office, it is a violation of constitutional morality and questions the credibility of democracy.
But the opposition did not accept this argument and called it an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution. They allege that this amendment will be used to intimidate the opposition and remove them from power.
According to the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill, if the Prime Minister or any Union Minister is arrested on charges of a serious crime punishable with a sentence of five or more years and remains in custody for 30 consecutive days, the President can remove him from office on the advice of the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister himself is under arrest and does not resign by the 31st day, his post will automatically end.
The same rule will apply at the state level as well. If a Chief Minister or Minister remains in custody for 30 consecutive days, the Governor can remove him from office on the advice of the Chief Minister. If the Chief Minister himself is in custody and does not resign by the 31st day, his post will also automatically end. This provision will also apply to the state government of Delhi.
The bill also includes that the President or Governor can re-appoint after release from custody. That is, no one will be permanently excluded from politics before being convicted.
The government claims that this amendment will strengthen the basic spirit of the Constitution and send a message that no person is above law and morality. The Prime Minister, Chief Minister or Minister cannot remain in office on charges of any serious crime.
The opposition called it an attack on democracy. They say that the central government is damaging the constitutional structure by misusing its majority.
As soon as the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, opposition MPs protested strongly. Many MPs got up from their seats and started raising slogans. Congress and Trinamool Congress MPs tore copies of the bill and threw it towards Home Minister Amit Shah, disrupting the proceedings of the House. The Speaker had to appeal several times to maintain peace. The situation deteriorated so much that the proceedings had to be adjourned for some time.
Amid the uproar, Amit Shah said that the government does not want to impose a unilateral decision on this bill. Therefore, all three bills will be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) so that a final decision can be taken only after detailed discussion.
Looking at the arguments of the opposition, senior Congress MP and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi called this bill a "strange cycle". He says that arrest does not mean conviction of crime. Sometimes arrests are also made for political reasons. Removing a Prime Minister or Chief Minister from office on the basis of detention alone, without the result of the trial, is against the spirit of democracy.
Congress leader Manish Tiwari warned that this amendment will eliminate the basic structure of the Constitution and will be used to topple the governments of opposition states.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi called it a step towards a "police state". He says that this will end the separation of powers and it will become easier to remove political opponents from office by sending them to jail.
Trinamool Congress MPs also alleged that this bill will give central agencies like CBI and ED the right to destabilize opposition governments, which is a threat to federalism.
It is clear that the opposition believes that this bill has been brought in the spirit of political revenge.
On the other hand, BJP and NDA MPs call it a democracy strengthening one. They argue that if a common citizen is accused of a crime, he is not allowed to continue his job, then why should there be an exemption for people sitting on top constitutional posts in the country?
Supporters say that this amendment will increase public confidence and send a message that no one is above the law. This will increase accountability in democracy.
The introduction of this bill at the end of the session is considered politically important. The government calls it a big achievement, while the opposition is calling it the government's "secret weapon".
If this amendment is implemented, the picture of Indian politics will change. Till now many Chief Ministers and Ministers have remained in office even while being in jail. The opposition alleges that the Centre has brought this bill keeping in mind these incidents, like the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal The matter of running the government from jail and prison.
This bill will not be limited only to current politics, but will also raise the question whether this amendment will empower democracy or increase political instability. Will governments be strengthened or will there be instability due to frequent vacancies?
The citizens of the country and constitutional experts are thinking deeply on this subject, because if this amendment is implemented, it will decide the future of India's democratic structure.
Home Minister Amit Shah said that the aim of the government is only to promote transparency and morality. He accused the opposition that they are opposing this bill because they fear that their leaders may come under this provision.
In short, what happened in the Lok Sabha today made it clear that there will be a big debate on this issue in the coming times. Three important bills have made the monsoon session memorable.
Now the decision lies with the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will determine the future of these bills. But one thing is certain that the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill has created a new stir in the politics of the country.
Only time will tell whether this bill will strengthen the democracy or lead to abuse of power.
