Latest news with #MaharashtraSpecialPublicSecurityBill
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
What is Maharashtra's new security Bill?
The story so far: The Maharashtra Legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill or a 'Bill to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations or similar organisations', during the recent monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly. The Bill has been termed as 'oppressive, ambiguous and open to misuse' by opposition leaders. What is the Bill? The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill was brought in to counter 'urban Naxalism', as per the government of Maharashtra. The Bill states that, 'the menace of Naxalism is not only limited to remote areas of the Naxal affected States but its presence is increasing in the urban areas also through the Naxal frontal organisations. The spread of active frontal organisations of the Naxal groups gives constant and effective support in terms of logistics and safe refuge to their armed cadres. The seized literature of Naxals shows 'safe houses' and 'urban dens' of the Maoist network in the cities of the State of Maharashtra.' The Maharashtra government claims that the State has become a safe haven for 'urban Naxal' organisations. It has said that over 60 such organisations exist in Maharashtra, and that current laws are ineffective against them. However, civil rights activists say that the State government has not yet made public the list of these organisations, despite repeated requests. They have alleged that the Bill has been brought about to control left-wing organisations and civil rights activists who had rallied against the BJP in the 2024 Parliamentary elections. What about other States? Maharashtra is the fifth State after Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to enact a Public Security Act 'for more effective prevention of unlawful activities of such organisations.' The government has claimed that the other States have banned 48 frontal organisations under similar laws. But civil rights activists contend that the Public Security Acts in other States were brought in before the promulgation of more stringent pieces of legislation like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They said that the Maharashtra government itself has claimed to have curbed left-wing armed extremists to only two districts of the State, with the help of currently existing laws, thus questioning the need for such a stringent Act at this time. When was the Bill introduced? The Bill was first introduced by the earlier Mahayuti government at the fag end of the monsoon session of Maharashtra Assembly in 2024. The State elections were held thereafter, and the BJP came back to power along with its allies with a thumping majority. The new government revived the Bill and introduced it during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly on December 20, 2024. A day later, a joint committee of members from both the Houses was formed to scrutinise the Bill. The committee received over 12,500 suggestions and objections but made only three amendments to the draft Bill. The activists have called the three changes 'minor'. After being cleared by the joint committee, the Bill was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on July 10. Only the Communist Party of India (Marxist) opposed the Bill. Other opposition parties raised objections, but did not oppose the Bill, which was passed by a majority by a voice vote. Two delegations have since met the Governor requesting him to not sign the Bill and send it back to the Legislature instead. What are the objections to the Bill? The opposition has said that the Bill empowers the government to declare organisations 'illegal' without due process; allows suppression of facts in 'public interest'; allows the government to extend ban on an organisation without any limit on the duration; has the potential to criminalise regular opposition under an ambiguous definition of 'illegal activity'; excludes lower courts from jurisdiction, effectively closing off easy judicial remedies; provides full protection to State officials acting in 'good faith'; and creates grounds for ideologically motivated action against opposition groups, activists and movements. The government has said that democratic and peaceful protests as well as journalists will not come under the Bill's ambit, but the ambiguity in the Bill has given rise to fear that it might be used against farmers' organisations, students' groups, and civil rights groups under the label of 'threat to public order'. For example, Section 2(f) of the Bill criminalises speech (spoken or written), signs, gestures or visual representations which 'tend to interfere' with public order or 'cause concern'. The opposition has said that such a provision allows authorities to criminalise expression, assembly, criticism, ridicule and association merely by indicating that they pose a potential threat. There is no requirement of actual violence, immediate harm or intent. What next? The Bill will become a law once the Governor gives his assent to it. It has been passed by both the Houses and has been sent to him. Meanwhile, civil rights activists and political parties have said they will continue to protest against the Bill and will approach the court against it.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi is surrounded by Left extremists: Fadnavis
A week after the state government passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill to tackle Left extremists in the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is surrounded by Left extremists. 'At present, Rahul Gandhi is surrounded by Left extremists. Therefore, he gave the order and the Congress party is protesting against the bill,' said Fadnavis, when asked about the Congress holding district-wise protests in the state against the bill, which the government claims is to tackle the problem of urban-naxals. The opposition and civil society have claimed that it will be used to target anti-government voices by labelling them urban-naxals or Left extremists. He was speaking at Vidarbha's naxal-affected Gadchiroli district after the inauguration and foundation stone-laying of various projects of Lloyds Metals and Energy. Fadnavis laid the foundation stone of a 100-bed hospital and a modern CBSE school in Konsari, Lloyds township in Somanpalli. Fadnavis inaugurated a slurry pipeline from Hedri to Konsari and an iron ore grinding unit at Hedri. The CM said the bill was discussed clause-by-clause in the joint select committee of both the houses. 'Even the opposition realised that the bill has nothing which can be misused, or which is against the Constitution. Therefore, some changes which the opposition suggested were accepted,' he said. The Indian Express had reported that the Congress central leadership sought a reply from the Maharashtra Legislative Party as to how it allowed the passing of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill without opposition. The Congress came under criticism after it neither protested nor submitted a dissent note in the Legislative Assembly against the bill, despite its leadership voicing opposition to it. Following the letter, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal directed all district committees to hold district-wise demonstrations and burn the copies of the bill.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Urban Naxals' with overseas funding are stalling development projects in Maharashtra, says Devendra Fadnavis
Days after the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill was passed in the State Assembly, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) alleged that 'urban Naxals' from outside the State were using foreign funds to spread rumours and stall development projects. The Chief Minister was in Gadchiroli district to inaugurate projects. 'While gun-wielding Naxalites are surrendering, reducing Naxalism, urban Naxalism is increasing. So, we need to stay alert about 'urban Naxals' spreading misinformation,' the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, adding that the investigation by the Gadchiroli police investigation had shown that people from other States, including Karnataka, were funding these campaigns. The Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district, Mr. Fadnavis also highlighted that social media campaigns claiming killings of tribals and land seizures started right after the foundation of a steel plant had been laid. ''Urban Naxalism' is spreading, and they are using misinformation to derail development projects,' Mr. Fadnavis said, adding he had been shocked to come across the news, when nothing had happened. He asked the Range's Inspector General Sandeep Patil to probe the details. Mr. Fadnavis revealed that, upon investigation, the four persons involved were from Kolkata and Bengaluru, working on foreign funding to 'instigate people against the Constitution'. While speaking at the 'ground breaking' ceremony of several projects of Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited at Konsari in Gadchiroli district, Mr. Fadnavis, who is also the State's Home Minister, appealed to Naxalites to enter the mainstream, leaving behind their old life. 'We are on our way to fulfil our dream of making Gadchiroli the steel hub of India. In 2015-2016, the mining started amid the challenges posed by Naxalites, villagers, and safety issues. However, we are on a path to build a steel ecosystem with jobs for the locals,' Mr. Fadnavis said, ealling Gadchiroli the greenest district of Maharashtra.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill: joint committee didn't follow process properly, alleges Congress
Facing a flak for not giving a dissent note in the joint committee which scrutinised the controversial Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill before it was tabled in the Maharashtra Legislature, Congress has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately subverting the process by making last minute changes to the schedules of the joint committee meetings. The committee held five meetings before clearing the Bill unanimously. The government has said on record that none of the members, including prominent Opposition leaders, gave any dissent note to the committee when the Bill was scrutinised. The Bill has been brought 'to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of Left wing Extremist organisations or similar organisations.' 'The proceedings of the committee were not carried out properly. Only two meetings were held as per the schedule. Else, the government kept changing the dates and timings of the committee meetings. It was to make sure that the opposition members are not able to attend the meetings due to last minute changes,' Harshwardhan Sapkal, Maharashtra State Congress president, told The Hindu. The joint committee of the legislature was formed in December 2024 to scrutinise the Bill. It consisted of 25 members and was headed by Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. The committee included several prominent opposition leaders from the MahaVikas Aghadi including Congress leaders Nana Patole, CLP Vijay Waddettiwar, Satej Bunty Patil; NCP SP leaders Jitendra Awhad, Shashikant Shinde, Shiv Sena UBT leader Bhaskar Jadhav. Maharashtra Legislative Council's Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, a Shiv Sena UBT leader, was a special invitee member. Mr. Sapkal said that the party leaders raised several valid objections to the Bill when it was being discussed in the joint committee. But said that since the date of the meeting was preponed at the last minute, the party could not submit a dissent note. 'We did not get any time to give written objections. The government got it cleared and tabled in a lot of hurry,' Mr. Sapkal said. 'There was no dissent note given by any of the opposition parties' legislators who were members of the committee. The Bill was cleared by everyone unanimously,' chairperson of the joint committee Chandrashekhar Bawankule said. When asked about the allegations of the Congress, he refuted the claims. 'All the proceedings were held as per procedure. In fact, it was Jitendra Awhad, an NCP SP MLA, who had suggested changes to the Preamble. We have changed the preamble accordingly. Several instructions by the opposition were taken on record and changes were incorporated accordingly,' he told The Hindu. The Bill was thereafter passed by the Maharashtra Legislature during the recent monsoon session of the Assembly. Congress and Shiv Sena UBT did not oppose the Bill openly in the Legislative Assembly on July 10, but took a strong stand against it in the Legislative Council and staged a walkout before the Bill was put to vote. The Governor has been sent the Bill for his assent now. Civil society upset 'We are upset with what happened in the Assembly. We had been working with the opposition leaders for months, since the beginning of the joint committee proceedings. We had expected them to take a strong stand against this anti-democratic Bill. Instead, they gave mild speeches,' said Ulka Mahajan, a prominent civil society activist and the State convenor of Bharat Jodo Abhiyaan. When asked why the Congress leaders who were a part of the committee did not oppose the Bill in the Assembly or submit a dissent note to the Speaker, committee member and senior Congress leader Nana Patole told The Hindu, 'We were told that as per the procedures, the members of the committee cannot speak on the floor of the House and oppose the Bill. It was wrong information.' CLP Vijay Waddettiwar asked, 'What is the point of giving a dissent note after the Bill has been passed in the Assembly?' On the next day, the MVA gave a dissent note to the Chairperson of the Legislative Council after the Bill was passed in the Upper House.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sanjay Raut slams Maharashtra's Public Safety Bill as tool to suppress dissent
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday (July 20, 2025) launched a blistering attack on the Devendra Fadnavis government over the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, claiming it poses a direct threat to civil liberties and democratic expression in the State. Writing in his weekly Rokhthok column in the party mouthpiece Saamana, Mr. Raut described the legislation as a tool crafted not for public safety, but to serve political and corporate interests. 'This is not a Jan Suraksha Bill, it is a BJP Suraksha Bill,' he wrote, alleging the government rushed the bill through the legislature without adequate debate. According to Mr. Raut, the Bill—passed during the recently concluded monsoon session of the Assembly—grants sweeping powers to the police and government to arrest individuals for acts deemed to disturb 'public order,' a phrase he said is deliberately vague and prone to misuse. He warned that NGOs, civil society groups, tribal activists, and those opposing large corporate projects like Gautam Adani's mining operations spread from Chandrapur to Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand forests could now be easily targeted under the new law. The Maharashtra Assembly on July 10, 2025, passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at preventing 'unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations or similar groups'. The Bill will now be tabled in the Legislative Council. 'I assure the House that we will not allow the misuse of this law. I request the House to pass this Bill unanimously,' Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who tabled the Bill. Despite opposition from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and objections by other parties, Speaker Rahul Narvekar declared that the Bill, put to vote through a voice vote, was approved by a majority. With the passage of the Bill in both Houses, Maharashtra will become the fifth State after Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to enact a public security law. The law will impose punishments ranging from two to seven years in prison for members of unlawful organisations. Offences under the Act will be cognisable and non-bailable in nature, and grant the government the authority to seize and forfeit funds belonging to such groups. Mr. Raut further criticised the government's intent behind the bill, saying it is aimed at silencing protests in areas such as Dharavi, where residents have been resisting redevelopment and displacement. 'The Dharavi Rehabilitation Project is the world's biggest land scam. The original residents will be uprooted from their rightful place and the leaders who are fighting for their rights will be labelled as 'Urban Naxalites' and imprisoned under the act. If people cannot protest peacefully against injustice, what remains of democracy?' the column said. Highlighting the double standards of the ruling coalition, Raut questioned why the government was turning a blind eye to hate speeches and violent acts by right-wing elements, while seeking to criminalise dissent from marginalised communities and activists. He also accused the government of using the bill as a pretext to consolidate power before the upcoming civic elections, particularly in Mumbai. 'The law is being used to intimidate those who dare speak against the regime or its business allies,' he claimed. 'Such laws attack the soul of democracy. If this bill becomes law, it will be a dark day for Maharashtra,' he added.
