Latest news with #PublicSecurityAct
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
NCP's Tatkare says discussions held with BJP over possible merger
Amid speculation over a possible merger of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), NCP's Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare on Friday clarified that there are no such discussions underway. However, he added that if any such move is considered in the future, it will be taken only after consulting the BJP's central leadership. Tatkare was speaking at a party workers' meeting during his organisational tour of Marathwada. 'The BJP leadership has accepted us with due thought. If any decision on merger ever has to be taken, BJP's top leadership will certainly be taken into confidence,' he said. Tatkare also remarked that the party's current experience within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has been 'more harmonious' compared to earlier alliances. Reflecting on the NCP's past, he noted that even in 1999, despite contesting against the Congress, the party chose not to align with the BJP, then led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 'Today, however, we have passed a resolution to remain with the NDA,' he said. On preparations for upcoming local body elections, Tatkare said the party is receiving encouraging responses from its ongoing tours in North Maharashtra and Marathwada. Referring to possible seat-sharing scenarios, he said, 'In some places, we may consider contesting outside the Mahayuti alliance. A final call will be taken after district-wise reviews in coordination committee meetings.' Responding to questions on the Public Security Act—recently backed by the NCP in the legislature—despite opposition from party founder Sharad Pawar, Tatkare said support for the Act does not indicate a rejection of Pawar's ideology. 'We are in the government, and the Bill has been thoroughly read and understood. The support is based on that. But that does not mean we are going against Pawar saheb's thinking,' he said. Among those present at the meeting were district president Satish Chavan, Maharashtra Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Patil Chakankar, and MLA Vikram Kale.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra govt wants Public Security Act to supress common man, says Congress state chief
Mumbai: MPCC president Harshawardhan Sapkal on Monday said CM Devendra Fadnavis's claim that the Public Security Act has been introduced to eliminate urban Naxalism is laughable. "This law is draconian inside and out and is meant to suppress the common people. Therefore, the Congress party has opposed it from the very beginning," Sapkal said. Sapkal said despite the ruling party having passed the bill using their majority in the assembly, the Congress-led opposition remains strong and there will be symbolic burning of the new legislation across the state. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Sapkal said the very intent behind the act is sinister and the only beneficiaries of the new legislation will be the govt and the industrial houses supporting the govt at all levels. "Those who have grabbed land in Dharavi, looted mineral resources in Surajagad and want red carpet access for the Shaktipeeth highway," Sapkal said.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maha legislative panel receives record 12k objections to Public Security Bill
MUMBAI: The controversial Special Public Security Bill, 2024, has received an unprecedented 12,750 suggestions and objections, the highest ever in the history of the state legislature. They were sought by a 25-member joint select committee (JSC) comprising members of both houses of the legislature. The panel will deliberate upon the objections and suggestions at a meeting on May 21. The JSC is expected to invite representatives of more than 100 organisations that have flagged the bill as 'anti-democracy' and unconstitutional. More than 90% of the responses oppose the proposed legislation. The bill, tabled in July, after the Lok Sabha elections last year, was later sent to the JSC, which has held two meetings so far. The number of suggestions and objections is the highest-ever for a draft bill in Maharashtra, topping the 700-odd suggestions and objections received by the Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment Bill) tabled in 2020 for effective action in crimes against women. The Special Public Security Bill, 2024, gives the state sweeping powers to act against 'urban naxals'. Justifying the bill, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has claimed that Naxalism is no longer confined to remote areas and has reached the cities through frontal organisations. The draft legislation has, however, been slammed by civil society, which has pointed to the potential for such a law to be misused by being invoked against individuals voicing dissent against the state. Many have called it a violation of human rights. 'We have bifurcated the suggestions and objections into different categories based on the nature of the objections. Over 90% of them object to the law and the objections have been raised, section-wise, with elaborative (sic) reasoning. We have put them under categories as per the nature of the objections raised,' said an official from the state legislature. According to home department officials, the Mahayuti government hopes to get the bill passed during the monsoon session of the state legislature, starting on June 30. 'Most of the objections are similar to each other. The opposition is because of the misleading information spread about the bill. The JSC will try to weed out these misconceptions during the deliberations,' said the officer. Ulka Mahajan, state convenor of the Bharat Jodo Andolan, said their opposition to the bill continues. 'After a huge response to our protests at 78 locations in 36 districts, there will be a huge march to the Vidhan Bhavan on June 30, the first day of the monsoon session. Organisations are of the opinion that it is not a Public Security Act but a bill drafted by the government to promote suppression and autocratic rule. The bill gives the government exhaustive powers to act against any organisation, for anything, and in fact it is aimed at suppressing dissident voices,' she said.
