Opposition parties, including the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), on Wednesday staged statewide protests across Maharashtra, opposing the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, calling it “anti-people, dictatorial, and draconian.”
The parties alleged that the bill`s vague definitions and sweeping powers could lead to misuse against innocent citizens, suppression of dissent, and silencing of democratic voices.
Apart from the Congress and NCP (SP), other protest participants included the Shiv Sena (UBT), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), and several like-minded organisations. They had jointly called for district and taluka-level agitations against the bill, which was passed by the Maharashtra legislature in July 2024.
The bill aims to curb unlawful activities by Left-wing extremist outfits and introduces strict penalties, including imprisonment of up to seven years, fines up to ₹5 lakh, and categorising offences as cognisable and non-bailable.
Following passage in both Houses of the state legislature, the bill now awaits the Governor’s assent to become law.
Protests across the state
In Pune, NCP (SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule led the protests near the Dr B R Ambedkar memorial close to Pune Railway Station. Protesters raised slogans praising the Constitution and condemned what they called the government`s “dictatorial tendencies.”
Sule warned that the bill, introduced under the guise of public security, would empower the government to jail its critics.
“This is nothing but an attempt to suppress people’s voices through state-sponsored authoritarianism,” she said.
Large numbers of NCP (SP) workers participated in the protest.
In Kolhapur, Congress leader Satej Patil led similar demonstrations. Party workers also held a ‘dharna’ (sit-in) and protest marches in Nanded. In Baramati, NCP (SP) leader Yugendra Pawar participated in a local protest.
In Hingoli and Solapur, activists from CPI (M) and the Congress held demonstrations. The CPI (M) has urged the Maharashtra Governor not to grant assent to the bill, labelling it “anti-people and unconstitutional.”
Criticism of the Bill
CPI (M) state secretary Dr Ajit Nawale said the terms “unlawful activities” and “unlawful organisations” were poorly defined, making them vulnerable to misuse.
He warned of unjust action against social activists, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens.
Dr Nawale highlighted that the government`s own joint scrutiny committee received over 12,700 public responses, with 9,500 demanding withdrawal of the bill.
“Despite this, the government made only minor changes to three clauses and rushed the bill through using its brute majority—without holding a public hearing,” he said.
He also warned that the law could be used to suppress peaceful protests, civil disobedience, and democratic movements, including marches and road blockades.
The CPI (M) has requested the Governor to withhold assent under Article 200 of the Constitution and send the bill back for reconsideration.
Congress slams `Weaponisation` of the Bill
The Congress said the bill would be used as a “weapon to silence dissent”, warning that it threatens democratic rights.
“There are already stringent laws to deal with urban Naxalism. This law is unnecessary and targets protests against pro-corporate policies and industrial favouritism,” the party said in a statement.
The bill also allows for arrest, imprisonment, and property confiscation, the party alleged.
Nationwide protest call for October 2
Opposition parties have announced a major protest on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, to intensify their agitation against the bill.
In Nagpur, Congress and NCP (SP) workers staged demonstrations at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Variety Square, raising slogans against the state government.
