Attack on Federalism: Kerala CM on Bills to Remove Jailed PM, CMs
The recent move by the central government to table the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Parliament has raised alarm bells across the country. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to enable the removal of Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who have been arrested or detained for at least 30 days. While the government has touted this move as a necessary step to ensure accountability, many have criticized it as an attack on federalism and the rights of states.
Among those who have strongly condemned the Bill is Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In a statement, he termed the Bill as a “blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states”. Vijayan’s criticism is not unfounded, as the Bill does seem to have far-reaching implications for the country’s political system.
According to Vijayan, the Bill is designed to “destabilise non-BJP governments by weaponising central agencies and jailing opponents on false charges”. This is a serious allegation, and one that deserves to be examined in closer detail.
It is true that the Bill does give the central government significant powers to remove political leaders who have been arrested or detained for extended periods of time. However, critics argue that this move is not aimed at promoting accountability, but rather at punishing political opponents.
In a country where political vendetta is all too common, the fear is that this Bill will be used to silence dissenting voices and maintain a stranglehold on power. The fact that the Bill was tabled in Parliament with little prior notice or consultation with state governments only adds to the concerns.
The Kerala Chief Minister is not alone in his criticism of the Bill. Many opposition parties and civil society groups have also spoken out against the move, terming it an attack on democracy and the federal system.
The Bill’s proponents argue that it is necessary to ensure that political leaders who are arrested or detained for extended periods of time are not able to continue in their roles. However, this argument is flawed, as it assumes that political leaders are only arrested or detained for political reasons.
In reality, political leaders can be arrested or detained for a variety of reasons, including corruption, wrongdoing, or even for their political beliefs. The Bill’s failure to provide any safeguards or checks on the central government’s powers only serves to exacerbate these concerns.
Moreover, the Bill’s emphasis on the removal of political leaders who have been arrested or detained for at least 30 days raises serious questions about due process and the rule of law. Is it not possible that a political leader could be arrested or detained for a shorter period of time, or for reasons that have nothing to do with their political beliefs?
The Kerala Chief Minister’s criticism of the Bill is not limited to its implications for the federal system. He has also argued that the Bill is an attack on the rights of states and the people who live in them.
“This Bill is a clear attempt to undermine the federal structure of our country and to centralise power in the hands of the central government,” Vijayan said. “It is a threat to the autonomy and dignity of the states and the people who live in them.”
Vijayan’s words are echoed by many others who are concerned about the implications of the Bill. The Bill’s proponents may argue that it is necessary to ensure accountability, but the reality is that it is a recipe for disaster.
In conclusion, the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 is a dangerous and misguided move that threatens the very fabric of our democracy. The Bill’s emphasis on the removal of political leaders who have been arrested or detained for extended periods of time raises serious questions about due process and the rule of law.
Moreover, the Bill’s failure to provide any safeguards or checks on the central government’s powers only serves to exacerbate these concerns. The Kerala Chief Minister’s criticism of the Bill is well-founded, and it is imperative that we stand in solidarity with him and other critics of this dangerous and misguided move.
News Source: https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1958168087863132663
