'Why Should Governments Be Permitted To Run From Jail?': Prime Minister Modi Defends Bill To Sack Jailed Ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (22 August) strongly defended three proposed legislations that seek to remove prime ministers, chief ministers, or ministers who remain in jail for 30 consecutive days, targeting the Congress and other opposition parties for opposing them, the NDTV reported.

Addressing a massive rally in Gayaji, Bihar, the Prime Minister questioned why individuals holding top posts should be allowed to govern from behind bars.

"When a government employee is jailed even for 50 hours, whether it is a driver, a clerk or a peon, they automatically lose their job. Then how is it acceptable that a chief minister, a minister, or even the Prime Minister continues in office while sitting in jail?" he asked.

He further added, "Why should governments be permitted to run from jail? Should tainted ministers resume in their posts? The people desire their leaders to maintain moral integrity."

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The three bills – the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – propose that if any prime minister, Union minister, or chief minister is arrested and held for 30 straight days on charges carrying a minimum five-year sentence, they will automatically lose office on the 31st day.

The Opposition, including the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Left parties, has strongly opposed the move, calling it unconstitutional and open to political misuse.

PM Modi, however, insisted the measures are aimed at fighting corruption, accusing rivals of shielding tainted leaders.

He also referred to instances where jailed leaders continued signing files and issuing government orders from prison.

"The Congress and RJD are resisting the bills. What are they terrified of? Everybody in Bihar knows that RJD leaders always indulged in corrupt practices," he said, adding, "The NDA government has brought a law against corruption, and the Prime Minister also comes under its purview."

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