MVA, Left parties protest against Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill

Leaders said the agitation would remain peaceful but warned of intensifying protests during the upcoming winter session if the Bill is not withdrawn.

By: Express News Service

Mumbai | September 10, 2025 09:41 PM IST

NCP leader Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. (Source: File)

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) —comprising Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (UBT)—along with Left parties on Wednesday staged a statewide protest against the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, calling it “anti-constitutional, undemocratic and aimed at silencing dissent.”

The protests came after the Bill, which empowers the government to declare organisations unlawful, seize their assets, and jail members for up to seven years, was passed in the Maharashtra Legislature in July this year, despite widespread opposition. Civil liberties groups and legal experts have flagged the law’s vague definitions, warning that even peaceful dissent could fall under its ambit.

In Mumbai, protesters gathered at Shivaji Park, near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Leaders including MLA Dr. Jyoti Gaikwad, CPI leader Prakash Reddy, and MVA functionaries Rajan Bhosle, Rajesh Sharma, and Dhananjay Shinde were present. Demonstrators raised slogans and submitted a memorandum to local authorities seeking a withdrawal of the Bill.

In Pune, the protest was led by senior NCP(SP) leader and Lok Sabha MP from Baramati Supriya Sule, who said the government’s claim that the law was needed to combat Naxalism was “unfounded,” as laws against Naxal activities already exist. She emphasised that the country must function according to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution, and any law curbing fundamental freedoms would be vehemently opposed.

“The government claims that Naxalism has ended, yet it brings a new law. This country will run not on anyone’s whim, but strictly according to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution. As responsible citizens, we oppose this unconstitutional legislation and demand its immediate withdrawal.”

Protests were also held across other major cities and districts such as Kolhapur, Nagpur, Solapur, Thane, Nashik, Amravati, Latur, Ratnagiri, Palghar, and Jalgaon, with Congress, NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), Left parties, and allied social organisationsparticipating.

Leaders said the agitation would remain peaceful but warned of intensifying protests during the upcoming winter session if the Bill is not withdrawn.

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