Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced contentious bills in the Lok Sabha that seek to strip a sitting minister, chief minister, or even the prime minister of office if they are detained or arrested for 30 consecutive days in relation to an offence punishable with five years or more imprisonment.
The move was opposed forcefully by AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, prompting slogans of protests by opposition members and forcing the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to adjourn until 3 pm.
"This is a transgression of separation of powers. It grants executive agencies the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner. This bill will give the unelected the power to act as the executionary," said Owaisi opposing the bill.
He added further, "Parts of this bill can be used to destabilise governments. This bill is nothing but making a gestapo."
The bills under consideration are The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, and The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill.
As per previous reports in HT, these three bills look to establish an entirely new legal framework for ministers and chief ministers in union territories and states like Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Union ministers and the Prime Minister at the federal level.
Importantly, the bills also permit a removed minister, chief minister, or prime minister to be restored after their release from detention.
Congress lawmaker Manish Tewari called the bills "squarely destructive."
He said in the Lok Sabha after Amit Shah presented the bills, "Indian constitution says there should be a rule of law, and the basis of that is that you are innocent until proven guilty. This bill hopes to change that. It makes an executive agency officer the boss of the Prime Minister."
Tewari also appealed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to give opposition leaders an opportunity to make their case against the bills.
Read also| Watch| PM Modi Shares Video on 'A Memorable Independence Day'
