Democracy is dying at SC’s doorstep, says Uddhav, urges CJI to take care of it

He mentioned that the existing laws are being used selectively, giving the example of arrest of Vasai-Virar municipal Corporation official for possession of cash.

Written by Alok Deshpande

Mumbai | Updated: August 15, 2025 06:24 AM IST

In this image posted by @ShivSenaUBT_ via X on Aug. 10, 2025, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray during a meeting with Vima Karmachari Sena members after their win in the Vima Kamgar Co-operative Bank elections, in Mumbai. (@ShivSenaUBT_ on X via PTI Photo)

Democracy is dying at the doorstep of Supreme Court, said Shiv Sena (UBT) president and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday, and requested the Chief Justice of India to take care of it. He was speaking at a conclave held by the Opposition parties and civil society organisations against the state government’s recently passed Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), the Chief Justice agreed to refer the case of stray dogs to a bigger bench and give it a hearing. The dogs of Delhi are getting a hearing… You all know that cases regarding Shiv Sena and NCP are pending at the Supreme Court. What we are getting is date after date. I have said this earlier and am saying it again. Democracy is dying at your (SC) doorstep and I request you to please take care of it. If democracy is saved, people are saved and then dogs too would be saved,” said Thackeray.

Questioning the meaning of “Left extremism” as mentioned in the bill, Thackeray said had it been against terrorists and traitors, he would have supported it. “Hang them (terrorist and traitors) irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. Is there a mention of terrorists or traitors in this bill? Had it been against them, we would have supported it,” said Thackeray.

He mentioned that the existing laws are being used selectively, giving the example of arrest of Vasai-Virar municipal Corporation official for possession of cash and letting go of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat who was seen with bag of cash in a video that went viral on social media a month ago.

Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said, “This bill is a brainchild of a power hungry Chief Minister who wants to implement the ideology presented in Bunch of Thoughts (a book written by former RSS head MS Golawalkar). This is nothing but an attempt by the CM to impress his party leadership to overpower the possible power battle against the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.”

Earlier, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar said that the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill will trample on people’s freedom of expression. Pawar conceded that the bill was not opposed effectively when it was introduced in the legislative Assembly last month by the BJP-led government, but added that the necessary course correction was done in the legislative council.

Maharashtra state secretary of CPM Ajit Navale said that all political parties across ideologies have come together with one aim. “The aim is to ensure withdrawal of this bill. And I am confident that we will achieve it unitedly,” said Navale.

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Social activist Ulka Mahajan said that a three-step agitation path will be followed against the bill. She said that agitation will be held on September 10 across Maharashtra against the bill. “At least one public rally will be held in each constituency of Opposition legislators and we will also take the bill to the court,” said Mahajan.

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