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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘MVA failure to oppose Urban Naxal Bill in Assembly sent wrong message, it must hit streets now': CPI(M)'s Dhawale
The smooth passage of the Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill in the state Assembly recently saw the members of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress, NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), failing to even express their dissent against the legislation dubbed as 'Urban Naxal Bill', which seeks 'effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of Left-wing extremist organisations'. The only dissenter from the Opposition ranks on the floor of the House was CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole. The Bill's critics have warned that it grants sweeping powers to the State that could criminalise dissent and ideological activity under the pretext of curbing Naxalism, raising fears of arbitrary arrests. In an interview with The Indian Express, CPI(M) Politburo member and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) chief Ashok Dhawale says the MSPS Bill marks a 'direct assault on democratic rights and civil liberties', calling the MVA MLAs' silence in the House 'unfortunate'. Excerpts: The CPI(M) has come out strongly against the MSPS Bill. Could you explain the reasons behind your opposition? We are completely opposed to this Bill. At its core, it is a direct attack on democratic rights and civil liberties. The government is using the so-called 'urban Naxal' threat as a red herring, an excuse to target dissent and silence critics of the ruling BJP and their corporate backers. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly stated that the Naxal issue in Maharashtra is confined to just two tehsils in Gadchiroli. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also has publicly stated that the Naxalite Maoist problem has largely been eliminated nationwide. So, the question arises if the threat is under control, why this new law now? The government claims it is a security measure. Are you saying there is more to it? This law is not about security, it is about silencing voices. There are already enough draconian laws in place — UAPA at the national level, and MCOCA in Maharashtra. Some provisions in this new Bill are even more draconian than UAPA. So clearly, it's not about lack of legal tools. We believe this is being brought in to suppress growing people's movements in the state like the farmers fighting against land acquisition for the Shaktipeeth Highway, or resistance to corporate-led projects in Dharavi, Wadhwan port, and areas like Gadchiroli and Chandrapur. These projects, pushed by big corporates, especially mining projects in districts like Gadchiroli and Chandrapur for which land acquisition process has started, often violate forest and land rights. The Bill is a tool to criminalise these legitimate struggles. While you have criticised the Mahayuti government, several of your own allies in the MVA have been criticised for not opposing the Bill. What is your take? The record of the MVA who are our allies has been mixed. I would describe what happened in the Assembly as unfortunate. However, to be fair, several top MVA leaders joined earlier protests against this Bill. On June 3, there was a massive dharna at Azad Maidan, and leaders like Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, and Uddhav Thackeray were present where they were categorical about their opposition to the Bill. On April 22, nearly 50,000 people protested against this Bill across Maharashtra. Though that was a Left-led call, many MVA leaders joined in solidarity. However, we were disappointed that when the Bill was introduced in the Assembly, only our MLA Vinod Nikole of the CPI(M) stood up to oppose it. Not a single MLA from the MVA bloc spoke out. On the same day we had an online meeting with NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil and we raised this issue with him. We were told that several MVA MLAs who were part of the Select Committee had already opposed the Bill in that House Committee. But we believe that not opposing it on the Assembly floor sent the wrong message. It has not gone down well with the people of the state. To their credit, the very next day in the Legislative Council, the MVA rectified this mistake, where they unitedly opposed the Bill and walked out in protest. That act did some damage control, and we welcomed it. What are your expectations from the MVA now? And, are you planning to take any legal recourse against the Bill? Of course, we will examine legal options, but we are realistic. Generally, courts do not interfere in legislative processes. So we are not placing much emphasis on legal challenges. The real battle is on the streets. The farm laws passed by Parliament were ultimately repealed through mass struggle. Similarly, if we want to defeat this draconian Bill, we need a broad-based, united mass movement. We are trying to bring all forces together to make that happen. Speeches alone will not see the end of this Bill. We, including the major constituents of the MVA, will need to hit the streets. We are trying to persuade them. Let us see what happens. Would you like some provisions of the Bill to be diluted, or you want the bill to be repealed? The government had called for suggestions and objections to this Bill and it received 12,500 suggestions. Out of these, 9000 suggestions sought a complete scrapping of the Bill while another 3,000 called for amendments. We believe that the Bill in its entirety is harmful for the citizens of the state. We are not protesting so that the government tweak this law — we want it to be thrown out entirely.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Rape case against Jalgaon native Praful Lodha
The Pimpri Chinchwad police in Pune have registered a case of rape against 62-year-old Praful Lodha, a native of Jalgaon district, who is at the eye of a political controversy in Maharashtra over 'honeytrap' allegations. The case was registered based on the complaint of a 36-year-old who has alleged that Lodha — who is currently in custody of Mumbai police — raped her at a hotel in Pune by promising to give her husband a job. A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was registered on July 17 at Bavdhan police station under Pimpri Chinchwad jurisdiction against Lodha, who is a native of Jamner town in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. The details of the case were shared by the police with the media on Tuesday. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut made allegations on Monday that a honeytrap operation was used to bring down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2022 and accused the BJP of orchestrating blackmail conspiracy involving videos of sitting MLAs and MPs. Raut alleged that Lodha was the mastermind of the 'honeytrap operation'. Mumbai police had earlier arrested Lodha this month in connection with two cases registered against him on charges of sexual assault on two 16-year-old girls and a woman on the false promise of giving them jobs. 'A case of rape has been registered against Prafull Lodha at Bavdhan police station on July 17. Investigation has been launched. The accused is currently in the custody of MIDC police station under Mumbai police. Offences against him have been registered at Sakinaka and MIDC police station in Mumbai.' said Senior Inspector Anil Vibhute, in-charge of the Bavdhan police station.' 'The woman complainant has alleged that she was raped by the accused who promised a job to her husband. The incident took place on May 27, as per the complaint. We have immediately registered an offence after the complainant approached us.' Senior Inspector Vibhute added. The woman has said in her FIR that Lodha called her to a hotel in Pune on the night of May 27 promising a job for her husband and forcefully had physical relations with her. He threatened her that she will lose her job if she refused to have relations with him. 'A procedure has been initiated to get custody of the accused from Mumbai police under a transfer warrant,' said Senior Inspector Vibhute. Police have booked Lodha under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 64 (rape) and 351 (Criminal intimidation).
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hidden cameras, Pegasus-like systems were used to honeytrap MLAs of MVA government: Sena (UBT)
MUMBAI: Hidden cameras and a Pegasus-like surveillance system were used to honeytrap Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) MLAs and MPs, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in 2022, the Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed on Tuesday. A Saamana editorial stated that some MLAs of the undivided Shiv Sena and the NCP switched loyalties due to pressure from Central agencies. At least 18 MLAs and four MPs were "honeytrapped," prompting them to join hands with the BJP to save their image. It further said Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar had alleged that MPs and MLAs were blackmailed and as a former leader of the opposition, his remarks must be taken seriously. "Hidden cameras and a Pegasus-like system from Israel were used (for surveillance) to its fullest extent. It is now clear that the MVA government collapsed due to this (honey) trapping," the editorial said. Pegasus is a spyware developed by Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group. The BJP had a system to honeytrap, and even policemen conducted surveillance on the opposition, the Saamana said.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Don't sign Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, send it back to state govt, Maha Vikas Aghadi urges governor
Mumbai: A delegation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), led by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve, called on governor C P Radhakrishnan on Friday and urged him not to sign the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024. The delegation also demanded that the governor send the bill back to the state govt and ask for it to be reconsidered by the legislature. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024 was passed without taking the opposition into confidence or allowing them to speak. "We had some objections to the bill, but we were not taken into confidence or asked about our suggestions. This bill will be used to hide failures of the state govt and suppress those who speak against it," he said. "There are many laws, so what was the need for this bill? This is not a public security bill, but a govt security bill. If this bill is for leftist ideology then tomorrow, those who commit extremist acts, any anti-national acts in this state, will action be taken based on ideology? Because an extremist is an extremist. Whether he is leftist or right wing, we have presented a clear position to the governor in this regard. We have told the governor that this bill is an attack on the rights of the common man and the Indian Constitution. Therefore, we have demanded that he send the bill back to the state govt for reconsideration," Wadettiwar added. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The MVA delegation also discussed the violent clash in Vidhan Bhavan with Radhakrishnan, said Wadettiwar. "This incident has tarnished Maharashtra's image not only in the country, but also around the world. Legal action should be taken against the goons who carry out such attacks," he said. "We did not make a demand for President's rule, but we discussed improving the law and order situation in the state. Nowadays, accused are seen roaming with ministers and ruling party MLAs. Recently, a goon in Pune raised a ruckus in the police station."
Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Bid to centralise power': MVA urges Governor to return Public Security Bill to govt for reconsideration
A delegation of opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Friday held a meeting with Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan requesting him to return the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill to the state government for reconsideration. The opposition also submitted a letter to the Governor claiming that the Bill is an attempt to centralise power. 'Out of 12,500 objections raised against the Bill from citizens and organisations, around 9,500 were demanding to cancel the Bill. The state government should have gone for public hearing by considering the opposition,' said the letter. It mentioned that the opposition had submitted a dissent note on the Bill by detailing its adverse impact on the citizens and various lacunae in it. 'It is requested that considering the people's outrage against the Bill, it should be returned to the state government for reconsideration,' said the opposition. Last week, both Houses of the legislature passed the Bill after being cleared by the joint selection committee. While in Assembly, the opposition failed to register a strong opposition, it walked out of the legislative council after facing criticism from all quarters for failing to oppose the Bill strongly. The Congress central leadership too sought reply from the Maharashtra Legislative party as to how did it allow passing of Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill without opposition. On Thursday, party legislators huddled in a meeting chaired by Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal. In the meeting, Congress MLAs were asked to be at forefront of every protest against government. The Congress has also directed all its district committees to organise protests by burning copies of the bill. The opposition has maintained that the Bill, which Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has claimed to target left extremist forces and Naxalites, will be used against those who take anti-government stand and protest against its policies. Fadnavis has assured that it won't be misused.
