PM Modi argues for fairness, backing bills that would remove PMs, CMs, and ministers jailed for more than 30 days without bail, calling it a step against corruption.
Modi: Leaders Shouldn’t Be Above the Law
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thrown his weight behind a new set of bills that could change how India deals with corruption in politics. The proposal? If a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or minister is arrested and spends more than 30 days in jail without bail, they should automatically lose their post.
Speaking at a rally in Bihar’s Gaya, Modi asked a simple question: “If a government employee can be sacked within hours of arrest, why should politicians continue to enjoy power from inside prison?”
He added that it’s unfair that ordinary workers — clerks, drivers, or even peons — lose their jobs immediately after arrest, but powerful leaders can still run offices from behind bars.
Hint at Kejriwal’s Case
Without naming him directly, Modi’s comments seemed aimed at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in 2024 over the alleged liquor policy scam. Despite being lodged in Tihar Jail, he continued to hold office and sign files until the Supreme Court granted him bail in September of the same year.
Modi said such practices weaken the fight against corruption:
“We saw files being signed from jail, government orders issued from jail. If leaders behave like this, how can the country move forward?”
Kejriwal later resigned after his bail, promising to return after proving his innocence at the ballot box. But in 2025, he lost the Assembly election to BJP’s Parvesh Varma.
What Do the Bills Propose?
The government has introduced three bills in Parliament:
- The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill – Ministers (including PMs and CMs) would automatically lose office if jailed for 30 days without bail, but only if the charges carry a minimum five-year sentence.
- The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill
- The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill
Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament that these laws are meant to bring fairness and accountability. But the Opposition has pushed back, calling them “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic.” The bills are now with a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further discussion.
Why It Matters
If passed, these laws could be a game-changer. For the first time, top political leaders would face the same job-security rules as ordinary citizens when it comes to arrests and jail time.
For Modi, it’s about sending a strong message: “No one, not even the Prime Minister, is above the law.”