Maharashtra may dilute public security bill after legislators, civil society raise red flag
The state government in May 2024 introduced the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024. It gives sweeping powers to the state government to clamp down Naxal activities.
The legislators also pointed out that existing UAPA has been used against Naxals in many cases.
The Maharashtra government is considering diluting several provisions of the controversial Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, after opposition legislators and civil society activists questioned the necessity of such a law when existing legislations like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) already addresses terrorism and Naxalism. The proposed bill grants sweeping powers to the state to act against alleged Left-wing extremism. It has faced widespread backlash for being “repressive” and potentially prone to misuse against dissenters and government critics.
A 26-member joint select committee, comprising legislators from across political parties is presently reviewing the bill. It has received more than 12,300 objections by civil society groups and social organisations across the state. Despite government sources claiming the changes, the revised draft has yet not been signed by the legislators of the joint select committee. The next and final meeting is scheduled on June 25 where the said draft is likely to be presented. “If the amendments are not as per the discussion, it will be difficult for us to sign. We may have to submit the dissent note in that case,” said a legislator from opposition who was part of the Joint Select Committee.
The state government in May 2024 introduced the said bill. It gives sweeping powers to the state government to clamp down Naxal activities. It was opposed by civil society groups as well as opposition parties in the state saying those opposing government will be targeted using the bill by labelling them as involved in Naxal activities.
“One of the questions we raised was about allegations of malpractices in arresting several individuals to call them Naxal. There are allegations of planting digital evidence, hacking their e-mails. The law can be misused by agencies as proposed bill gives freedom to government agencies to use unlimited power to target individuals,” said a legislator from legislative council.
The legislators also pointed out that existing UAPA has been used against Naxals in many cases. “We asked that why can’t the same be used? Why do we need this new law?” he said.
According to another opposition MLA, the government was also asked about how agencies will differentiate between anti-government and anti-India protests? “What if there is an act of violence in a protest against a government project by organisations? Will they be tried under this new law or existing ones? How will you differentiate?” the MLA asked.
The demand of defining ‘who is a Maoist’ has also been raised, which has no clear answer in the present form of the bill. “What constitutes a Maoist according to the government? We pointed out that if an affiliation to an organisation makes one Maoist, then we already have laws to deal with it,” the MLC said.
Story continues below this ad
Government sources have claimed that in a revised draft of the bill, amendment has been introduced to try only organisations and not individuals under the new law. In addition, the word ‘unlawful activities’ in the objective has been changed to ‘unlawful activities of Leftist extremists.’
“The bill is now related to unlawful activities of Naxal or Leftist organisations. While I have demanded to remove the word Urban Naxal, I can comment on it only after seeing the draft of the bill,” said NCP-SP MLA Jitendra Awhad, a member of the committee.
Another legislator Satej Patil of Congress sounded cautious. “We have to wait until we see the draft. We have not yet signed it. We have raised valid questions in all three meetings and held deliberations for hours. We expect a positive response from the government,” he said.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More
4 min read
