Rahul Gandhi Slams PM, CM Removal Bills: ‘India Is Going Back to Medieval Times’

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the central government over three newly introduced bills that propose the removal of sitting Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Union Ministers if they are arrested and held in custody for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges. Speaking at a press briefing during the monsoon session of Parliament, Gandhi said the move signals a dangerous regression in India’s democratic values, likening it to “going back to medieval times when the king could remove anybody at will.”

The bills—The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, and The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill—have been referred to a joint parliamentary committee for further scrutiny. However, opposition leaders have condemned the legislation as “draconian,” “unconstitutional,” and a “death knell for democracy.”

🧭 What the Bills Propose

The three bills tabled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah aim to empower the government to remove elected officials from office if they are arrested for 30 consecutive days on charges that carry a minimum sentence of five years. The bills do not require a conviction, raising concerns about the erosion of the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”

The bills have sparked outrage across party lines, with opposition MPs tearing up copies of the legislation and staging protests inside Parliament.

🧠 Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks: ‘No Concept of Elected Person’

Rahul Gandhi minced no words in his criticism, stating:

“We are going back to medieval times when the king could just remove anybody at will. There is no concept of what an elected person is. He doesn’t like your face, so he tells the ED to file a case, and then a democratically elected person is wiped out within 30 days.”

Gandhi also questioned the timing and intent behind the bills, suggesting they are designed to target opposition leaders through politically motivated arrests.

📊 Opposition Reactions: United in Protest

Several opposition leaders have joined Gandhi in condemning the bills. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted that the move is “more than a super-Emergency,” while AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi argued that the bills violate the principle of separation of powers.

The bills have also reignited concerns over the arrest of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was jailed for over five months without trial in connection with the liquor excise policy case.

🧠 Legal and Constitutional Concerns

Legal experts have raised alarms over the constitutional validity of the bills. The absence of a conviction requirement and the reliance on arrest duration as a trigger for removal are seen as violations of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and Article 14 (Right to Equality).

Senior advocates have warned that if passed, the bills could be challenged in the Supreme Court for violating the basic structure of the Constitution.

🔍 Political Context: Timing and Strategy

The introduction of the bills comes ahead of key state elections and amid rising opposition unity under the INDIA alliance. Critics argue that the legislation is part of a broader strategy to weaken non-BJP governments and consolidate central control.

Rahul Gandhi also referenced the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, hinting at political pressure behind the move. “There’s a big story about why he resigned… and why he is in hiding,” Gandhi said.

📈 Public Sentiment and Media Coverage

The bills have sparked intense debate on social media, with hashtags like #DemocracyUnderThreat and #MedievalBills trending across platforms. Civil society groups, constitutional scholars, and retired judges have called for wider public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.

Independent media outlets have highlighted the lack of debate and rushed introduction of the bills, raising concerns over legislative transparency.

📌 Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi’s sharp criticism of the PM and CM removal bills has reignited a national conversation on the future of Indian democracy. His warning that the country is “going back to medieval times” captures the opposition’s alarm over what they see as an authoritarian drift. As the bills head to a joint parliamentary committee, the battle lines are drawn between those defending constitutional values and those accused of undermining them.

Whether the legislation survives legal and political scrutiny remains to be seen. But for now, the debate has exposed deep fissures in India’s democratic fabric—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available parliamentary proceedings, political statements, and media reports as of August 21, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or political advice.