Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected a proposal to exempt himself from a new bill mandating the removal of top leaders who remain in custody for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges.
Rijiju said that during cabinet discussions, there was a suggestion to keep the Prime Minister outside the purview of the legislation. “PM Modi disagreed. He said he too is a citizen and should not get special protection. If our own leaders are guilty, they must resign. Ethics should mean something,” Rijiju told media.
The statement came after the government introduced three bills earlier this week — 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.
The legislation proposes that if the Prime Minister, a Union minister, or a state chief minister is detained for 30 days or more on charges carrying a minimum five-year sentence, they will automatically lose office on the 31st day.