Bills, ‘political morality’
The stormy scenes in Parliament on Wednesday, following the introduction of three contentious Bills, reflect the deep political divide. The Opposition is right in saying that the proposed laws could open the door for political misuse. The idea of removing the Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, or Ministers facing serious charges may sound like a sound move to uphold morality, but it carries with it the danger of being used selectively against opponents. Such measures go against the jurisprudence of criminal justice and risk throwing constitutional safeguards to the wind.
At the same time, the government’s claim of ensuring probity in public life cannot be ignored.
Ultimately, the health of Indian democracy lies not in hasty legislation or noisy disruptions but in measured debate, consensus-building, and protecting the federal spirit of the Constitution. Any law curbing the rights of elected representatives must be crafted with caution, lest it becomes a tool to destabilise governments.
Rukma Sharma,
Jalandhar, Punjab
The new Bills pose grave threats to federalism and democratic governance. The 30-day custody rule could be weaponised to systematically target political rivals through prolonged investigations and strategic arrests timed just before elections. Without addressing systemic issues such as judicial delays, police misuse and false case registrations, these measures risk becoming tools of political vendetta.
Dr. Moin Khan,
Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh
Published – August 22, 2025 12:24 am IST