‘If a Clerk Can Be Suspended, Why Not PM?’: Modi Defends Bills To Remove Jailed Ministers

At a rally in Gayaji, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the recently introduced constitutional amendment bill that empowers the Centre to remove any jailed minister from office.

Speaking at the event, PM Modi highlighted that if a government employee is jailed for even 50 hours, they are suspended from their job. He questioned why similar rules should not apply to the Prime Minister, chief ministers, or other ministers.

"...If a government employee is imprisoned for 50 hours, then he is suspended automatically, whether it is a driver, a clerk, or a peon. But a CM, a Minister, or even a PM can continue holding office even from jail," Modi stated during the rally.

He emphasized that the NDA government has enacted laws against corruption, and these laws also apply to the Prime Minister. "Some time ago, we saw how files were being signed from jail and government orders issued from detention. If leaders have such an attitude, how can we fight corruption? The NDA government has brought a law against corruption, and the Prime Minister is also covered under it," he added.

The Controversial Bills

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025. This bill proposes the removal of the Prime Minister or chief ministers facing charges of corruption or serious offences if they remain in detention for 30 consecutive days.

Shah also tabled the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Since these bills allow action based on allegations without requiring proven guilt, the Opposition has criticized them as unconstitutional. Critics argue that the bills could give the Centre power to remove any sitting chief minister or minister by using central agencies such as the ED and CBI to detain them.

The bills' introduction prompted a strong uproar in the Lok Sabha. In response, a reference to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)-already on the government's agenda-was made. The committee is tasked with submitting its report by the last day of the first week of the next session, effectively delaying the matter by about three months.

The next parliamentary session is expected to begin in the third week of November.