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Legislative bills

Opposition Leaders Slam Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 as 'Anti-Democratic' and 'Hitlerian'

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha tore up copies of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling it anti-democratic and a Hitlerian assault on Indian democracy. The bill seeks to remove a prime minister, Union minister, chief minister, or state minister if they are arrested or detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges. Opposition MPs alleged that the government was attempting to push the measures through in haste, leading to a chaotic scene in the House.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, faces fierce opposition from various parties, including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress, who call it anti-democratic and a threat to Indian democracy.
  • The bill seeks to remove a prime minister, Union minister, chief minister, or state minister if they are arrested or detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges, leading to concerns about the misuse of the law by the executive agencies.
  • TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee called the bill "a draconian step that comes as a death knell for democracy and federalism in India" and accused the government of attempting to silence the judiciary and trample on people's rights.
  • Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the bills as "draconian" and "undemocratic," arguing that they allow the government to impose charges on a chief minister without conviction, thereby undermining the rule of law.
  • Congress MP Manish Tewari claimed that the bill destroys the rule of law by making an investigating office the boss of the Prime Minister of India and violating the due process clause.
  • TMC Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra alleged that the government was attempting to bypass the judiciary and federal structure through the bill, allowing the use of ED and CBI to arrest elected opposition CMs on fake charges and sack them without being proven guilty.

Statistics:

  • 240 MPs of the total Lok Sabha seats support the government's move to change the Constitution.
  • 30 consecutive days is the proposed period for which a prime minister, Union minister, chief minister, or state minister can be arrested or detained on serious criminal charges before being removed.

Sources:

  • The Indian Express - Opposition MPs trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans, alleging that the government was attempting to push the measures through in haste.
  • The Indian Express - Mamata Banerjee said the bill will end the judiciary's independence and called it a "draconian step" that comes as a death knell for democracy and federalism in India.
  • ABP Private Limited, distributed by Contify.com - Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the bills "draconian" and "undemocratic," arguing that they allow the government to impose charges on a chief minister without conviction.
  • ABP Private Limited, distributed by Contify.com - Congress MP Manish Tewari claimed that the bill destroys the rule of law by making an investigating office the boss of the Prime Minister of India and violating the due process clause.
  • ABP Private Limited, distributed by Contify.com - TMC Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra alleged that the government was attempting to bypass the judiciary and federal structure through the bill, allowing the use of ED and CBI to arrest elected opposition CMs on fake charges and sack them without being proven guilty.

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