NEW DELHI (Kashmir English): The Indian government has introduced a significant legislative bill concerning the legal status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the Lok Sabha, which will further increase New Delhi’s powers in the occupied territory.
Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three important bills in the Lok Sabha, including the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill 2025, the UT Amendment, and the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Amendment Bill.
According to a report, under the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill-2025, if a Chief Minister or any Minister of State of a state remains in custody for 30 days (even if not charged), the Governor or Lieutenant Governor of Union Territories can dismiss them.
This amendment will also apply to the Prime Minister, meaning the President will have the power to dismiss the Prime Minister.
However, there is zero possibility that any investigative agency of the Indian government would arrest the person controlling these agencies (i.e., the Prime Minister) and then keep them in jail for 30 days.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Amendment Bill paves the way for New Delhi to gain more powers and tighten its direct grip on the elected government.
After the amendment, the Lieutenant Governor will have the power to directly remove ministers from office.
The Chief Minister or any minister will be removed from office even for just 30 days of detention for a crime punishable by five years or more. As a result, the Indian government will gain new power to dismiss the Chief Minister and cabinet members.
This move is considered contrary to the Indian government’s assurance in court to restore statehood.
“Modi government is imposing a politics of revenge”
Political observers say that the Modi government is imposing a politics of revenge instead of democracy in Kashmir and is further tightening its control over the occupied valley by trampling the trust of the Kashmiri people through constitutional and administrative amendments.
It should be remembered that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of occupied Kashmir was kept under house arrest for a year after August 5, 2019. After the approval of the new law, his rule is in danger.
Former Chief Ministers Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were also in custody. Almost all the leadership of the National Conference and PDP in occupied Kashmir has been imprisoned since August 5, 2019.
During the introduction of the bill, the opposition protested strongly. Opposition members threw the bill at Amit Shah, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the session.
