Amit Shah: Not Allowing A Bill To Be Presented Is Not Democratic, Modi Included PM Post In New Bill

Home Minister Speaks on the Proposed Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill Latest News: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday lashed out at the opposition for protesting against the Constitution (130^th Amendment) Bill, stating even the Prime Minister has included himself in the ambit of the proposed bill.

Home Minister made several remarks during an interview with journalist Smita Prakash of the News Agency ANI, while discussing in-depth the recently introduced controversial bill, which the home minister had introduced in the lower house during the monsoon session of the parliament.

The bill seeks to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and Minister if jailed for more than 30 days for serious offences that lead to a jail term of over five years.

The bill saw a massive outrage and protest from the opposition, who alleged that the bill paves the way for the ruling BJP to misuse central agencies, frame non-BJP Chief Ministers, put them behind bars, and destabilize state governments.

Speaking to the journalist, he asked the entire nation and the opposition whether a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader can run the country from jail. ‘Does that suit the dignity of our democracy?’ Home Minister asked.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that even to this date, the opposition is attempting to form the government from Jail, if they ever have to go to jail.

“Jail will be made CM House, PM House, and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary will take orders from the Jail.”

Home Minister Shah said that the BJP and he completely reject the idea that the country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there.

“My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there. This will not affect anyone's majority in the Parliament or the Assembly. One member will go, other members of the party will run the government, and when they get bail, they can come and take the oath again. What is the objection in this?" he questioned.

Home Minister said that under the proposed bill, if a minister does not get bail within the first thirty days after the detention for serious offences, the minister must leave their position. However, if refused, the minister will be removed by the law.

"I want to tell the entire country about the 130th Amendment. In this amendment, we have made a provision that if the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader from the central or state government faces serious allegations and gets arrested, and if they do not get bail within 30 days, then they must leave their position. If they don't resign, they will be removed from their post by law. This is what we have included in the 130th Amendment," He explained.

Further Home Minister said that the Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in the law, drawing a comparison with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who Amit Shah said had brought the 39^th Amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from Judicial review by Indian Courts).

He said, “Narendra Modi has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to Jail, he will have to resign.”

He said that when protests are allowed, when an elected government brings a constitutional amendment in the Parliament, however, he asked how it is appropriate in a democracy that the bill is not allowed to be even presented in parliament.

“ Are both Houses meant for discussion or just noise and disruption?” Home Minister Questioned.

Referring to his statement in the parliament when the bill was presented, he said, “I have already said that this amendment will be sent to a joint committee of both houses. Everyone can share their opinion there, and during voting, you can express you views. Since this is a constitutional amendment, it requires a two-thirds majority.”

He added that stopping the presentation of a bill in the parliament altogether is ‘not democratic’.

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