The Indian Republic is an idea forged not only in the crucible of colonial resistance but also in the aspiration for moral and constitutional rectitude. From the Constituent Assembly debates to the hallowed pages of the Indian Constitution, there was a deeply embedded desire that the new nation should not merely change rulers but redefine the ethics of rule itself. Against this historical backdrop, the recent proposal to remove from office a Chief Minister or the Prime Minister if they spend 30 consecutive days in jail invites both serious reflection and spirited debate.

At first glance, the proposed legislation appears to be a long-overdue attempt at restoring probity in public life. For too long, Indian politics has suffered from what Dr Rajendra Prasad once warned against—the decoupling of morality from public office. Today, it is not uncommon for individuals facing serious criminal charges to not only contest elections but occupy high constitutional posts. Indeed, the data is both staggering and troubling. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), as of 2024, nearly 43 per cent of sitting MPs faced criminal cases, a significant number of which pertained to serious offences.

In such a context, the proposed law........

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