Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill to curb ‘urban naxalism' diluted, will be tabled in monsoon session of state legislature in July
Mumbai: A revised diluted draft of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024, which seeks to curb the rising influence of naxalism in urban areas, is set to be tabled during the monsoon session of the state legislature in July.
The bill, which was initially tabled in July 2024, was termed "repressive" and "anti-people" as it gave state govt sweeping powers to crack down on Naxal or leftist activities. In Dec 2024, a 26-member joint select committee, headed by BJP minister Chandrashekar Bawankule and comprising legislators from all political parties, was set up to review and scrutinise the bill. This panel has diluted the objectives and some of the provisions of the bill based on the 1,200-plus suggestions and objections received from citizens and social organisations.
"There were some misunderstandings about the provisions of the bill, which we have cleared. The revised bill is now based on the consensus of all members of the joint select committee," said Bawankule. "Some changes have been made, like political parties or individuals will now not be booked under the proposed Act, but only those organisations linked to left-wing extremism or naxalism will be probed. The revised bill will be tabled in the monsoon session of the state legislature.
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The committee will meet again on June 25 to finalise the revisions, said officials.
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, a member of the joint select committee, said the dilution of the bill was a victory for the opposition and the people of the state who objected to this draconian proposed law. "Now the bill is only related to unlawful activities by organisations involved in Naxalism, and not individuals. We had objected to the bill using the term 'urban naxalism'.
We also demanded that instead of 'left-wing extremism', only 'extremist or hardline activities' must be used," he said, claiming that the word 'urban Naxal' has been removed from the tweaked bill.
Bawankule said changes were also made with regards to investigations. "Investigation will be done by an assistant commissioner of police in urban areas and a deputy superintendent of police in rural areas, instead of a police sub-inspector as mentioned in the initial draft," he said. "Also, the advisory board, which will give a go-ahead for the probe, will be headed by a retired high court judge and include a district judge and a govt pleader.
" The original bill had provided for a senior law officer to head the board.
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