Amit Shah Defends ‘Tainted Leader’ Bill by Citing PM Modi, Criticizes Congress for Shielding Indira Gandhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025.

In Parliament on August 20, proposing the removal of Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and other ministers who are arrested and detained for over 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges. The bill aims to enhance accountability and prevent individuals from holding office while under legal scrutiny.

In his defense of the bill, Shah contrasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach with that of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He highlighted that Modi introduced a constitutional amendment to bring the office of the Prime Minister within the purview of the law, whereas Gandhi had, during the Emergency, shielded the Prime Minister’s office from judicial scrutiny through the 39th Constitutional Amendment. Shah accused the Congress party of opposing the bill to allow leaders to “run governments from jail” and place themselves above the law.

The bill has sparked significant debate. Opposition parties argue that it could be misused to target non-BJP leaders through politically motivated arrests. They express concerns that the law undermines democratic principles by allowing the removal of elected officials without a conviction.

The proposed legislation is currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, with further discussions anticipated in the coming weeks.