Synopsis:
Police-State alarm rings as Amit Shah introduces the 130th Amendment Bill proposing automatic removal of ministers after 30 days in custody—even without conviction—sparking fierce opposition and accusations of constitutional erosion.
By Dr. Mohammad Farooque, Qalam Times News Network
Date: August 21, 2025
Police-State rhetoric set the tone as Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha on August 20. The legislation proposes that if the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any minister is detained for 30 consecutive days on serious charges—even without conviction—they’d automatically lose their position. The House erupted in protest, with opposition MPs tearing up copies of the bill amid shouts of “unconstitutional” and “democracy at stake”
In the second paragraph, the focus word returns: The Police-State implications were stark. Opposition leaders warned this gives the Centre unchecked power to target rival governments using agencies like the ED or CBI. They argued it bypasses due process and defies the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” leaning instead on suspicion to unseat elected officials.
The chaos in Parliament was real. Marshals braced against MPs who hurled torn bill pages at Amit Shah. The session was adjourned briefly as both sides clashed. After order resumed, the bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), as Shah claimed it would reinforce ethical governance by preventing locked-up officials from running the show.
Critics didn’t hold back. Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin called the bill a “black bill” and a “black day” for democracy, predicting courts would strike it down. Kerala’s CM Pinarayi Vijayan labeled it part of a “neo-fascist strategy,” accusing the government of weaponizing investigative agencies to destabilize non-BJP states. The bill’s legal mechanics are simpler than they sound: Amend Articles 75, 164, and 239AA to mandate that a detained minister loses office after 30 days unless special advice is tendered. If released, they may be reappointed—but only after the fact.
Yet the political reality is murkier. Past arrests of non-BJP leaders—like Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren, and others—raise fears that this could become a tool rather than a corrective. The opposition sees it as a playbook to topple adversarial governments under the guise of reform.
