New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah today slammed the Congress-led Opposition for protesting against the Constitution 130th Amendment Bill, saying their opposition stems from their desire to remain “outside the ambit of law” and to continue “running governments from jail”.
In a social media post, Shah recalled the historical context, citing how former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had introduced the Constitutional Amendment No 39, which granted immunity to the Prime Minister from legal action.
“On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has introduced a constitutional amendment to bring himself within the ambit of the law, and on the other hand, the entire opposition, led by Congress, has opposed it in order to stay outside the scope of the law, run governments from jail, and not relinquish their attachment to power,” Shah said.
Addressing allusions to his term as home minister in Gujarat made by a Congress leader during the debate, Shah clarified that he had resigned from his ministerial post before being arrested in a case he described as “fabricated” and “motivated by political vendetta”.
He stressed that he did not assume any constitutional position until his name was cleared by the court.
Shah contrasted the ethical approach of the BJP with the Congress’ legacy, pointing out that senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani had resigned immediately after allegations surfaced against him.
“Congress continues to carry forward the unethical tradition started by Indira Gandhi,” Shah alleged.
He also highlighted the contradictory behaviour within Congress ranks, referring to Rahul Gandhi’s past opposition to an ordinance protecting Lalu Prasad Yadav during the UPA rule, only to later “embrace him publicly” at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. “The public fully understands this duplicity of the Opposition,” Shah remarked.
On the legislative process, Shah said that the bill would be scrutinized by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), and dismissed Opposition claims as a “crude behaviour to protect the corrupt”.
He said the Opposition’s stand had been “completely exposed” before the public.
Shah said that he has introduced a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament, with the consent of the Lok Sabha Speaker, aimed at prohibiting individuals in jail from holding key constitutional offices such as Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister at the central or state level.
He said the bill is a decisive step toward restoring morality and integrity in public life.
“The purpose of this bill is to elevate the declining level of morality in public life and bring integrity to politics,” Shah said.
Addressing the moral and legal void that the bill seeks to fill, Shah stated, “When the Constitution was framed, our Constitution makers could not have imagined that in the future, there would be political figures who would not resign on moral grounds before being arrested. In recent years, an astonishing situation has arisen where Chief Ministers or Ministers have continued to run governments from jail.”
He said an accused politician will be given 30 days from the date of arrest to secure bail. Failing that, on the 31st day, they will either be removed from their position by the Prime Minister or the concerned Chief Minister, or will automatically become ineligible to continue in office. If they are granted bail later, they may resume their role following legal clearance.
Shah emphasized that the legislation does not undermine legal rights but aims to uphold ethical standards in governance.
“Now, the people of the country will have to decide whether it is appropriate for a minister, Chief Minister, or Prime Minister to run the government while in jail,” he stated, throwing the moral question back to the electorate.
