Latest news with #SpecialPublicSecurityBill
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
INDIA front should hold meeting before Bihar elections: Uddhav
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said that the INDIA Alliance should hold a meeting ahead of elections to the Bihar Assembly and Maharashtra local bodies. 'The INDIA front has not held its meeting since the Lok Sabha election. I wish the meeting takes place as Bihar elections are approaching. Even Maharashtra is set to face local body elections. It is important that the INDIA front holds the meeting,' said Thackeray. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was formed before the 2024 general elections by all major Opposition parties in the country. The alliance was formed to contest the general elections together against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The INDIA front in Maharashtra comprises of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) — which formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). With local body polls approaching, the MVA is yet to finalise on whether to contest the elections in alliance or independently. Reacting to the ongoing case of over the party symbol and name in the Supreme Court, Thackeray said that it is good if the case gets over in August. 'Our symbol was robbed. I have always maintained that Election Commission has a right to allot symbol but not to give the party name. It cannot change the name, that's not its right. Even the case is ongoing about its rights over changing poll symbol,' said Thackeray. Congress to burn copies of Special Public Security Bill The Opposition Congress on Monday announced that it will burn the copies of recently passed Maharashtra Special Public Security bill in all districts of the state. Party's state unit chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said, 'This law is draconian inside and out and is meant to suppress the common people. That is why the Congress opposed it from the very beginning. Despite the ruling party having passed the bill using their majority in the assembly, the Congress's opposition remains strong, and symbolic burning of this black law will be carried out in every district.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance not sealed yet, Raj must clear air: Sanjay Raut
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said that even though MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray came together against imposition of Hindi, their political alliance was not sealed yet. Raut said it was necessary for this alliance to forge, and now there should be no confusion. Raut also said that one day, Raj would come forward and clear the air on his high tea meetings with Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde. Raut made the comments in his weekly column in Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna. Political analysts said through his column, Raut was cautioning Raj that he must stay true to the Thackeray reunion and announce a formal alliance without allowing confusion to creep in. "Raut is also pressing for a formal alliance between the two cousins and telling Raj that the slow response from him was creating confusion among people. Raut is also recalling that so far, tangoing with the BJP and Shinde resulted in a drubbing for the MNS, and its political fortunes are now at rock bottom. In the future, Raj must avoid any temptation to flirt with BJP or Shinde given his previous track record. Raut's comments serve as a note of caution and also a reminder that the reunion will require Raj's full commitment for it to sustain," a political observer said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "Although the two Thackerays' coming together has created confidence among the Marathi people, it does not mean that all the problems of Maharashtra and the Marathi people have been resolved immediately. Both the Thackerays came together against Hindi compulsion, but their political alliance has not been announced yet. This alliance is necessary; only then will Maharashtra get a new direction. The current rulers of Delhi and Maharashtra are shaken by the way the storm of Marathi unity has been created in the state. They will try to prevent this alliance from happening," Raut wrote in his column. "Shinde and Fadnavis go to Raj Thackeray's residence for tea, and Raj Thackeray welcomes them. Shinde's position in Maharashtra politics is like that of a mercenary. Fadnavis heats up the political air by meeting Raj Thackeray. Since Shinde is deflated now, his meetings with Raj Thackeray are short-lived, and it doesn't seem like the current Marathi unity will end because of these two. One day Raj Thackeray himself will come forward and speak on all this and clear up the confusion," Raut said. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is likely to spell out his plan for an alliance with the MNS for the upcoming BMC and other local body polls in an interview with Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut in party mouthpiece Saamna this weekend. It will be a two-part interview. Sena (UBT) functionaries said Uddhav will reveal the status of talks with the MNS chief and the roadmap for the alliance. Uddhav will also take on the Mahayuti govt on Hindi imposition, the Special Public Security Bill, and farmers' suicides in the state.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"BJP security bill": Uddhav Thackeray raises concerns over passage of Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 11 (ANI): After the Maharashtra assembly cleared the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill of 2024, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday took a swipe against the ruling Mahayuti government, saying that the bill should be renamed as 'BJP security bill'. He further accused the ruling Mahayuti government of 'misusing majority' while alerting that the government could 'pick up' commoners and imprison them. 'They can pick up anyone, including ordinary people, and imprison them. This bill is similar to previous acts like MESA and TADA. This bill should be called the 'BJP security bill' instead of the public security bill, as they believe speaking out against the BJP is tantamount to criticising the country. Currently, we don't support this bill,' Thackeray, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, told reporters here. He flagged the issue of missing words like 'Naxalism' and 'terrorism' in the bare act, against which the government is supposed to take action. 'They are misusing their majority rather than using it. It seems that the government says something and does something different. They say that the bill has been brought to end Naxalism and terrorism. However, the bill doesn't mention either Naxalism or terrorism. They have only mentioned 'left-wing extremist ideology' (or left-wing extremism),' Thackeray said. 'We need to differentiate between left-wing ideology and right-wing ideology. Generally, we all (Sena, BJP) lean towards the right-wing since we believe in religion. However, our constitution mentions ideals like equality, social justice, and personal liberty. Even Modi had said, 'sabka sath sabka vikas'. Is this leftist thinking or right-wing? I can't make out the difference,' he added. The Shiv Sena UBT chief stressed that the government includes specific words like 'Naxalism' and 'Terrorism' to make the bill clear. 'I stand with the government if it is about fighting those who remain a threat to the country. However, it seems like you are bringing this bill inspired by a political agenda since there's no mention of Naxalism,' Thackeray said. This comes after the Maharashtra Assembly passed the Special Public Security Bill on Thursday, aiming to counter radical left ideologies and organisations allegedly promoting unlawful activities across the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tabled the Bill in the Legislative Assembly. The bill, which was first introduced during the Winter Session in Nagpur in December 2024, returned to the House after a Joint Committee, led by BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule, reviewed over 12,000 suggestions for amendments. The Chief Minister said the new bill was designed to fill the legislative gap left by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which primarily deals with active terror activities but lacks scope in tackling ideological indoctrination and subversive movements. (ANI)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra Assembly Passes Controversial Bill To Curb ‘Urban Naxals'; Oppn Warns Of Misuse
/ Jul 11, 2025, 10:21PM IST The Maharashtra Assembly has passed the Special Public Security Bill aimed at curbing activities of left-wing extremist groups, particularly targeting 'urban Naxals'. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the bill is essential to crack down on outfits banned elsewhere but still active in Maharashtra, assuring the public it will not be misused or infringe on rights. Shiv Sena's Sanjay Nirupam supported the bill, calling for a nationwide rollout, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned its effectiveness in ensuring public safety. Opposition raised concerns about the bill's broad language and vague definition of 'urban Naxal'. The bill now awaits tabling in the Legislative Council.#maharashtra #publicsecuritybill #urbannaxals #maharashtrapolitics #fadnavis #shivsena #aadityathackeray #congress #bjp #toi #toibharat
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra's ‘urban Maoism' Bill, the concerns it raises
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed by a voice vote the stringent Special Public Security Bill, 2024 that seeks to tackle 'unlawful activities of left-wing extremist organisations'. The Bill criminalises a wide range of actions – from interference with the maintenance of public order and administration of the law, to generating fear and apprehension in the public, and encouraging or preaching disobedience of the law. It also prescribes penal consequences for alleged offences, including forfeiture of property even before a trial is conducted and the accused is found guilty. Concerns have been raised that the overbroad definitions in the Bill and the wide powers that it confers on the police could possibly be misused. The Bill will now be introduced in the Legislative Council where it is expected to pass. It will then be sent to the Governor for his assent, following which it will become law. Bill and its journey An earlier version of the Bill was introduced in the Assembly in July 2024, on the last day of the monsoon session. The state went to polls in November, and the Bill effectively lapsed. It was introduced again in December last year, after a joint committee cleared the Bill. In its Statement of Objects and Reason, the Bill states that it seeks to tackle 'the menace of naxalism'. 'The spread of active frontal organizations 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 Bill states. The government can declare an organisation as 'unlawful', and the Bill prescribes penalties for individuals associated with such unlawful organisations. This is similar to how the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, operates. However, the provisions of the Maharashtra Bill cover a wide range of 'unlawful activities'. What the Bill prescribes The Maharashtra Bill's definition of unlawful activity includes: 1. Interference with the maintenance of public order, or with the administration of law; 2. Overawing a public servant by criminal force; 3. Indulging in or propagating, acts of violence, vandalism, or other acts generating fear and apprehension in the public; 4. Indulging in or encouraging the use of firearms, explosives, or other devices, or disrupting communications by rail, road, air, or water; 5. Encouraging or practising disobedience to established law and its institutions. The Bill prescribes punishment ranging from two years to seven years of jail term, along with fines for (i) for being a member of an unlawful organisation, (ii) when not a member, for raising funds for an unlawful organisation, (iii) for managing or assisting in managing an unlawful organisation and, (iv) for committing an 'unlawful activity'. Offences under the proposed law are cognizable, which means arrests can be made without a warrant, and are non-bailable. The government's declaration of an organisation as unlawful has to be confirmed by the Advisory Board consisting of 'three persons who have been or are qualified to be' a judge of a High Court. The Bill also prescribes some serious pre-trial consequences against the property of the accused. For instance, when an organisation has been declared 'unlawful', the District Magistrate or the Police Commissioner may take possession and evict individuals from 'any place which in his opinion is used for the activities of such unlawful purpose of organization'. This forfeiture is permitted in the Bill with a notice of 15 days to the affected party. The Bill also states that 'where any such place contains any apartment occupied by women or children, reasonable time and facilities shall be provided for their withdrawal with least possible inconvenience'. This means that forfeiture could include residence of an accused. The Bill states that the affected party can move the High Court within 30 days of forfeiture. Concerns about the Bill Stringent legislation such as the UAPA and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) have features similar to the Maharashtra law. In the UAPA, unlawful activity includes 'cession or secession' activities; actions that 'disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India' and 'cause disaffection against India'. However, this is a higher threshold for terror-like activities. Maharashtra's proposed Bill contains loosely worded definitions for unlawful activity such as 'practising disobedience' or 'disrupting communication by road', which have raised fears that it could criminalise ordinary, valid acts of protest or dissent against the state. In the landmark 1962 Kedar Nath Singh case, the Supreme Court, while upholding the sedition law, drew a line – that speech or criticism of the government cannot be labelled 'sedition' unless it is accompanied by an incitement or call for violence. In the PMLA, there are provisions for attachment of property. However, that is limited only to property that is considered 'proceeds of crime'. A quasi-judicial body, the PMLA Appellate Tribunal, vets the attachment made by the Enforcement Directorate. Significantly, the UAPA and PMLA are extraordinary laws, which are exceptions to ordinary criminal laws. Ordinary criminal laws have constitutional safeguards, such as the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and the burden of proof lying with the state to establish the crime against the accused. In special laws, for high-stakes offences, these principles are diluted, but not for every criminal law.
