Lok Sabha in Chaos as Opposition Protests Bills on Removal of PM, CMs Arrested for 30 Days

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha witnessed unprecedented uproar on Wednesday after the government introduced three contentious bills proposing the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and ministers arrested or detained on serious charges for 30 consecutive days. Opposition members stormed into the well of the House, shouting slogans and tearing up copies of the draft laws, minutes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah tabled them.

Rejecting criticism of hasty legislation, Shah asserted that the bills would be referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny, where both Houses, including Opposition parties, would be able to suggest amendments. “We cannot be so shameless that we continue to occupy constitutional positions while facing serious charges,” Shah said during the heated session.

The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, collectively propose that any Prime Minister, Chief Minister or minister who remains under arrest for 30 consecutive days on charges carrying a minimum punishment of five years, will automatically lose office from the 31st day.

The proposal has drawn sharp condemnation from Opposition parties, who labelled the move “draconian” and an assault on the Constitution and federal principles. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the legislation as “anti-constitutional and undemocratic,” warning that governments could misuse the law by framing leaders in false cases. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the BJP was “turning the country into a police state,” while Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee accused the Centre of seeking “absolute control without accountability.”

The government, however, defended the move as a necessary anti-corruption measure. BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra argued that the Opposition was only trying to divert public attention from a “crucial reform” aimed at ensuring probity in public life.

Despite the assurance of a JPC review, Opposition MPs continued their protests, forcing multiple adjournments of the House throughout the day.