New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday called on the nation to decide whether it is appropriate for a minister, Chief Minister, or Prime Minister to run the government while they are in jail after Constitutional Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha and sent to the Joint Committee of Parliament.
In a post on “X” the micro blogging social networking site the Home Minister said that the constitution amendment introduced by him in the parliament shows Modi Government’s commitment to combat political corruption and respond to public concerns regarding the integrity of elected officials. The bill, along with two others concerning the governance of Union Territories and Jammu and Kashmir, has been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament for further consideration. Shah emphasized that the legislation seeks to restore morality in public life, addressing the troubling trend of political figures remaining in power despite being incarcerated. The proposed law stipulates that if a politician is arrested and does not secure bail within 30 days, they will be removed from their position or become ineligible to govern. However, if they are granted bail afterward, they can return to their roles. The introduction of these bills has sparked significant opposition in the Lok Sabha, with various MPs arguing that the measures undermine the principle of separation of powers and could lead to abuses of authority. Notably, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP KC Venugopal voiced strong objections, questioning the morality of the bill and Shah’s past actions during his tenure as Home Minister in Gujarat. In response, Shah defended his record, stating that he resigned on moral grounds during his own legal challenges. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has been requested to appoint members to the Joint Committee that will review the bills, which are seen as pivotal in shaping the future of political accountability in India.
