Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the government’s move to introduce a law that disqualifies ministers jailed for more than 30 days on serious charges. Responding within hours, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal posed sharp questions about the fairness of such a measure.
Kejriwal argued that the law does not consider cases of political vendetta where leaders are jailed on false charges and later acquitted. “Shouldn’t there also be punishment for those who frame false cases?” he asked. He further hit out at the BJP for inducting leaders with corruption charges and elevating them to ministerial posts, questioning whether such actions upheld the dignity of democracy.
Amit Shah, on the other hand, maintained that a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or minister accused of serious crimes cannot be allowed to govern from jail. He emphasised that the law applies only to major offences with punishments of five years or more, not to minor cases.
The proposed law, if enacted, will remove any minister jailed for over 30 days in serious cases from office, though they may return once acquitted or granted bail. Opposition parties warn it could be weaponised against political opponents, citing increasing misuse of central agencies.