New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has lashed out at the ‘Black Bill’ protests against the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill by Opposition parties, stating that both he and the BJP “completely reject” the idea that the country “cannot be governed without the person” who has been jailed. He asked whether a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader could run the country from jail. Shah had introduced the bill during the just-concluded monsoon session of Parliament. The legislation states that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Ministers, if jailed for more than 30 days for offences that attract a jail term of over five years, can be removed from office. Parliament witnessed strong protests, with the Opposition terming the bill “unconstitutional” and alleging that it was a tool for the BJP to misuse central agencies, frame non-BJP Chief Ministers, put them in jail and destabilise state governments. In an interview with ANI, Shah said, “Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail? Does that suit the dignity of our democracy? Even today, they are trying that if they ever have to go to jail, they will form the government from jail. The jail will be made CM House or PM House, and top officials will take orders from jail. My party and I completely reject this idea.” Shah explained, “In this amendment, we have made a provision that if the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader faces serious allegations and is arrested, and if they do not get bail within 30 days, they must leave their position. If they don’t resign, they will be removed from office by law.” He stressed that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself who insisted on including the PM’s post in the amendment. Shah contrasted it with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 39th Amendment, which had sought to protect top constitutional offices from judicial review. The Home Minister criticised the Opposition for creating uproar in Parliament when he tabled the bill, saying, “Stopping the presentation of a bill in Parliament is not democratic. The Opposition must answer to the people.” He recalled that during the UPA government, Congress had introduced an ordinance to protect convicted MPs, which Rahul Gandhi had rejected by tearing it up. Shah said, “Now the same Congress is supporting RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav despite his conviction. Isn’t this double standards?” The Home Minister also cited the case of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who continued as Delhi Chief Minister even after being jailed on corruption charges. Meanwhile, a Joint Committee comprising members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill before it is put to vote.
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