New Delhi, August 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday introduced three Bills in the Lok Sabha seeking the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers if they remain in custody for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges. The move triggered uproar from the Opposition, even as the draft legislations were referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament.
The Joint Committee will comprise 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha and has been tasked to submit its report by the end of the first week of the Winter Session, expected to begin in November.
Amid repeated disruptions, the three Bills — the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025 — were introduced and referred to the Committee by a voice vote.
The proposed legislations stipulate that if the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, or Chief Ministers are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days for offences punishable with a minimum of five years’ imprisonment, they will automatically lose their position on the 31st day.
Opposition leaders, including AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MPs Manish Tewari and K.C. Venugopal, opposed the Bills, alleging that the move was unconstitutional and violated federal principles. Shah, however, dismissed the criticism, insisting that the laws were meant to uphold political morality.
“We cannot be so shameless that we continue to occupy constitutional positions while facing serious charges,” Shah said, adding that he himself had resigned as Gujarat Home Minister before his arrest in 2010 and rejoined government only after being discharged by the court.
The House witnessed noisy protests, sloganeering, and even jostling between Treasury and Opposition benches, with Union Ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and Kiren Rijiju stepping in to shield Shah. Marshals formed a protective ring around the Home Minister as the chaos escalated, forcing Speaker Om Birla to adjourn proceedings until 5 p.m.
Despite adjournment, Opposition MPs continued their protests, demanding withdrawal of the Bills.
