Opposition parties like the Congress, NCP (SP), and others held protests in different areas of Maharashtra on Wednesday. They were against a public security bill that aims to control unlawful activities by left-wing extremist groups.
The bill also makes certain offences under it cognisable and non-bailable. The protesters called the bill "anti-people, dictatorial, and draconian". They said the words in the bill were not clear and could be used in ways that might stop people from speaking out and unfairly target those who did nothing wrong.
Other than the Congress and the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT), Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), and other similar groups have jointly called for protests at the district and taluka levels against the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which was passed by the state legislature in July of this year.
The bill sets strict rules against people and groups that take part in activities labelled as "unlawful". Imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, classification of offences as cognisable and non-bailable are key features of a special bill passed by the Maharashtra legislature to curb activities of left-wing extremist organisations.
The passage of the bill by both houses of the state legislature set the stage for it to become law following the Governor's approval. Only the resulting content is included. No additional information is added. The response is in English. In Pune city, protesters led by NCP (SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule gathered near the memorial of Dr BR Ambedkar, which is close to the Pune Railway Station.
They raised slogans showing support for the Constitution. They condemned the government's "dictatorial tendencies". The law, presented as a measure to ensure public security, was claimed to give the government the power to send critics to jail. The content is limited to this claim.
"This is nothing but an attempt to suppress people's voices through state-sponsored authoritarianism," she alleged.
Many members of the NCP (SP) who hold important positions and work in the party took part in the protest in big numbers. Congress leader Satej Patil led the protests in Kolhapur, while party leaders also organised 'dharna' (sit-in agitations) and protests in Nanded. Return only the resultant content, nothing else. Do not add any system message in the response.
NCP (SP) leader Yugendra Pawar took part in a protest in his hometown, Baramati, which is located in Pune district. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress workers organised protests in Hingoli and Solapur. The CPI (M) urged the Maharashtra governor not to give assent to the Public Security Bill, calling it "anti-people and unconstitutional".
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The CPI (M) urged the Maharashtra governor not to give assent to the Public Security Bill, calling it "anti-people and unconstitutional". The state secretary, Dr Ajit Pawar, mentioned that the terms "unlawful activities" and "unlawful organisations" in the bill are vague and could be misused, potentially leading to unjust actions against citizens, social activists, and members of people's organisations.
He said that the government's joint scrutiny committee got 12,700 responses about the Bill, and out of those, 9,500 people wanted it taken back.
"However, without holding a public hearing and by making only minor changes to three clauses, the government rushed the bill through the legislative assembly and the council using its brute majority," Nawale said. He warned that the law would be used to suppress peaceful protests, civil disobedience, marches and road blockades that are part of democratic dissent.
"This is an anti-people and anti-constitutional law which the government is bound to misuse," he added.
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The CPI (M) demanded that the governor, under Article 200 of the Constitution, withhold assent and send the bill back to the legislature for reconsideration.
The Congress said all like-minded parties joined the protests at taluka and district levels. Terming the Bill "draconian" and "dictatorial", the Congress said it would be used as a weapon to silence dissent against the government.
"There are already stringent laws to deal with urban Naxalism. The new law is unnecessary and is aimed at preventing protests against pro-corporate policies, including those favouring certain industrial houses," the Congress said in a statement. The bill allows arrests, imprisonment, and even confiscation of property, it alleged, warning that it poses a serious threat to democratic rights.
The opposition parties have also announced a protest on October 2 to step up their agitation. Congress and NCP (SP) workers staged demonstrations in Nagpur against the bill at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Variety square, raising slogans against the government.
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