In a high-voltage session of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday approved sending three crucial legislations—the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025—to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
The committee will comprise 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, nominated by the Speaker and Deputy Chairman respectively. As directed, the panel must submit its report by the last day of the first week of the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the motion in the Upper House, which was passed by voice vote despite relentless Opposition protests, sloganeering, and uproar.
Earlier, Shah introduced the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, along with the proposal to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, in the Lok Sabha.
Key Highlights of the Bills
- Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025
This Bill seeks to bar any Central or State Minister facing corruption or serious criminal charges from holding office if they are detained for at least 30 consecutive days. - Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025
It proposes changes to Section 54 of the 2019 Act, enabling the removal of the Chief Minister or a Minister in Jammu & Kashmir if detained on serious criminal charges. - Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Aims to bring administrative changes in the governance of Union Territories.
Opposition’s Strong Reaction
The Opposition sharply criticized the proposed amendments, branding them “draconian” and “unconstitutional.” In a dramatic turn of events, Opposition MPs tore copies of the Bills and hurled them towards Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha.
Leaders alleged that the laws were designed to curtail the powers of elected governments and undermine democratic norms. The move to strip the Prime Minister or Chief Ministers of authority if detained sparked intense debate across the political spectrum.
With the Bills now referred to the Joint Committee, the nation waits to see whether the recommendations will strengthen accountability in governance or trigger deeper political conflict. The Winter Session promises to be a heated battleground between the ruling government and the Opposition.
