Modi’s New Prison Bill Is About Politics, Not Justice
Critics say the ruling party will use the proposed law to force opposition politicians out of office.
A costly distraction.
Photographer: Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to have both pragmatism and principle on his side when he argued recently that ministers, including the chief ministers who led state governments, should be required to resign if they spend more than 30 days in prison. “How can anyone run a government from jail?” he asked at an election rally in the populous state of Bihar.
Unfortunately, things aren’t quite that simple. The constitutional amendments proposed by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party could, if they pass, be used to harass and dethrone ministers from opposition parties. And given that the BJP doesn’t have the numbers to force their passage, it’s more likely that the proposal’s real purpose is to remind voters of Modi’s own image of incorruptibility.