CONSTITUTIONAL MORALITY AND THE CRISIS OF POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY: A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE 130TH AMENDMENT BILL, 2025 IN STRENGTHENING INDIAN DEMOCRACY
AUTHOR -MR. GANESH SHRIRANG SATARKAR, M.A. IN SOCIOLOGY ,DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY ,CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF HARYANA, MAHENDRAGARH, HARYANA, INDIA
BEST CITATION – MR. GANESH SHRIRANG SATARKAR, CONSTITUTIONAL MORALITY AND THE CRISIS OF POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY: A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE 130TH AMENDMENT BILL, 2025 IN STRENGTHENING INDIAN DEMOCRACY, ILE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW, 4 (1) of 2025, Pg. 37-40, APIS – 3920 – 0006 | ISSN – 2583-7168.
Abstract
The introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 marks a historic juncture in India’s democratic evolution. The proposed amendment, mandating the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers held in custody for more than thirty consecutive days in cases involving serious criminal offences, aims to tackle the persistent issue of criminalisation in politics. This paper critically examines the ethical, constitutional, and political implications of this amendment and its potential to reinforce public trust in governance.
The concept of constitutional morality, as envisioned by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, serves as the theoretical foundation of this study. It argues that political accountability must transcend mere legality and embody a moral commitment to democratic integrity. By analysing the constitutional principles embedded in Articles 75 and 164, this paper explores the intersection between executive responsibility, collective accountability, and judicial oversight. The study also considers comparative perspectives from parliamentary democracies such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada to evaluate whether similar mechanisms exist to address corruption and abuse of power. Furthermore, the paper discusses the ethical dimensions of governance, emphasizing that democratic legitimacy relies not only on electoral mandate but also on moral conduct in public office. It highlights the role of media, civil society, and judiciary in demanding accountability and maintaining the rule of law. Sociological perspectives on public perception of political corruption are also incorporated to understand how institutional reforms can shape democratic morality.
Through doctrinal analysis, case studies, and comparative evaluation, the research concludes that the 130th Amendment Bill, if implemented with adequate safeguards, could serve as a milestone in cleansing Indian politics and revitalizing faith in the constitutional order. However, the paper also warns against the risks of political misuse and calls for institutional checks to prevent arbitrary disqualification. Ultimately, this study advocates that ethical governance rooted in constitutional morality is indispensable for the survival and strengthening of Indian democracy.
Keywords: Constitutional Morality, Political Accountability, 130th Amendment Bill 2025, Criminalisation of Politics, Ethical Governance, Indian Democracy