Latest news with #JanSurakshaBill
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sanjay Raut slams Maharashtra's Public Safety Bill as tool to suppress dissent
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday (July 20, 2025) launched a blistering attack on the Devendra Fadnavis government over the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, claiming it poses a direct threat to civil liberties and democratic expression in the State. Writing in his weekly Rokhthok column in the party mouthpiece Saamana, Mr. Raut described the legislation as a tool crafted not for public safety, but to serve political and corporate interests. 'This is not a Jan Suraksha Bill, it is a BJP Suraksha Bill,' he wrote, alleging the government rushed the bill through the legislature without adequate debate. According to Mr. Raut, the Bill—passed during the recently concluded monsoon session of the Assembly—grants sweeping powers to the police and government to arrest individuals for acts deemed to disturb 'public order,' a phrase he said is deliberately vague and prone to misuse. He warned that NGOs, civil society groups, tribal activists, and those opposing large corporate projects like Gautam Adani's mining operations spread from Chandrapur to Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand forests could now be easily targeted under the new law. The Maharashtra Assembly on July 10, 2025, passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at preventing 'unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations or similar groups'. The Bill will now be tabled in the Legislative Council. 'I assure the House that we will not allow the misuse of this law. I request the House to pass this Bill unanimously,' Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who tabled the Bill. Despite opposition from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and objections by other parties, Speaker Rahul Narvekar declared that the Bill, put to vote through a voice vote, was approved by a majority. With the passage of the Bill in both Houses, Maharashtra will become the fifth State after Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to enact a public security law. The law will impose punishments ranging from two to seven years in prison for members of unlawful organisations. Offences under the Act will be cognisable and non-bailable in nature, and grant the government the authority to seize and forfeit funds belonging to such groups. Mr. Raut further criticised the government's intent behind the bill, saying it is aimed at silencing protests in areas such as Dharavi, where residents have been resisting redevelopment and displacement. 'The Dharavi Rehabilitation Project is the world's biggest land scam. The original residents will be uprooted from their rightful place and the leaders who are fighting for their rights will be labelled as 'Urban Naxalites' and imprisoned under the act. If people cannot protest peacefully against injustice, what remains of democracy?' the column said. Highlighting the double standards of the ruling coalition, Raut questioned why the government was turning a blind eye to hate speeches and violent acts by right-wing elements, while seeking to criminalise dissent from marginalised communities and activists. He also accused the government of using the bill as a pretext to consolidate power before the upcoming civic elections, particularly in Mumbai. 'The law is being used to intimidate those who dare speak against the regime or its business allies,' he claimed. 'Such laws attack the soul of democracy. If this bill becomes law, it will be a dark day for Maharashtra,' he added.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra Opposition urges Governor not to give assent to Public Safety Bill
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Opposition on Friday met Governor CP Radhakrishnan urging him to not give his assent to the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, calling it 'draconian' bill that could stifle 'democracy'. The bill was passed by both houses of legislature during the monsoon session and the Opposition voted in support of the bill in the assembly. However, on Friday, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar , Jayant Patil of NCP (SP) and UBT Sena leaders met the Governor and raised their concerns over the bill. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Management Data Science Cybersecurity CXO Others Digital Marketing MBA Artificial Intelligence others PGDM Product Management Data Science Operations Management Design Thinking Leadership Finance Degree healthcare Technology Healthcare Public Policy Data Analytics MCA Project Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK General Management Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta CERT-IIMC APSPM India Starts on undefined Get Details "We informed the governor that the manner in which the Jan Suraksha Bill (Public Safety Bill) was allowed to be passed was not good. We were not taken into confidence (during the passage of the bill). We were not allowed to speak, we had suggestions and objections which were not allowed to be placed," said Wadettiwar after meeting the governor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mother saw squirrels in her window, but when she took a closer look at them she called the police! Story To Hear Undo He added, "The government will use the bill to crush the voices against it... we have MCOCA ( Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act ), why do we need this law? The bill has provisions that are against the Constitution and the common man. We have told the governor that he should not sign the bill and send it back and there should be a public hearing on this bill." On July 10, the Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Congress, UBT Sena and NCP (SP) gave their support to it as it was introduced in the assembly. Live Events
Deccan Herald
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Jan Suraksha Bill: Congress calls Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill as 'Black Law', plans to 'burn' its copies in protest
#WATCH | Mumbai | On Jan Suraksha Bill, Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal says, "This bill is unconstitutional, against the republic and democracy... The BJP is throttling democracy to prove itself superior..."
