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The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP Brings in ‘Security' Law That Could Silence Dissent in Maharashtra
Published : Jul 16, 2025 07:36 IST - 5 MINS READ Days after the ruling BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra observed the 50th anniversary of the Emergency and the curtailment of freedoms it entailed, the Maha Yuti government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, 2024, by voice vote in the Legislative Assembly on July 10. The irony is stark: the same party that declared June 25 as 'Constitution Murder Day' now wields a law that critics describe as the gravest threat to freedom of expression in Maharashtra. While tabling the Bill, Fadnavis warned of 'urban Maoist networks' brainwashing youth, professionals, and civil servants. 'Maoists were trying to brainwash the youth of the urban areas and make them stand up against the democratic system of the country,' he said. The statement of objects claims that 'the menace of Naxalism is not only limited to remote areas of the Naxal-affected States, but its presence is increasing in the urban areas also through the Naxal front organisations'. The MSPS Bill empowers the State government to declare any suspect 'organisation' as an 'unlawful organisation'. Four offences can trigger action: membership of such organisations, fundraising on their behalf, managing or assisting them, and committing unlawful activities. Also Read | Why Maharashtra withdrew its Hindi language mandate in schools Punishments range from two to seven years' imprisonment and fines from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. These offences are cognisable and non-bailable, allowing arrest without a warrant. The Bill defines 'unlawful activity' broadly as any act that 'constitutes a danger or menace to public order, peace and tranquillity' or interferes 'with the administration of law'. The definition potentially encompasses satyagraha, civil disobedience, and peaceful protests—constitutionally protected forms of democratic expression. The Bill's journey First introduced during the 2024 monsoon session by then Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, the Bill was revived after the Maha Yuti returned to power in November 2024. A joint select committee, headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, held five meetings between March 4 and June 26 and received over 12,500 suggestions and objections. Civil society groups, including the Maharashtra chapter of the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan and the People's Union for Civil Liberties, urged that the Bill be withdrawn entirely. Others questioned its intent, calling it a precursor to authoritarianism. The committee recommended three amendments: changing the title to specify 'Left Wing Extremist organisations or similar organisations'; mandating an advisory board comprising three High Court judges or qualified persons; and raising the rank of the investigating officer from sub-inspector to Deputy Superintendent of Police. Pushback for the Bill In the Assembly, only CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole opposed the Bill outright, calling it 'draconian'. Rohit Pawar of the NCP (Sharad Pawar) expressed concern over its potential misuse. Fadnavis assured that political and social activists would not be targeted, and that the right to protest would remain protected. Congress leader Nitin Raut referred to the controversial Bhima Koregaon case of 2018, in which several people were arrested under the 'urban naxal' label. Despite this, the Opposition offered little resistance during the Assembly proceedings. The silence shocked civil society activists who had been protesting the Bill for over a year. Uddhav Thackeray and senior Congress leaders had attended a June 28 rally in Mumbai against the Bill. But it was only when the legislation reached the Legislative Council that Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) actively objected. Congress leaders Satej Patil and Abhijit Vanjari condemned the Bill as an assault on democratic rights. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab gave a detailed speech highlighting its flaws. Vanjari questioned why only Left-wing extremism was targeted, while Right-wing extremism was ignored. Thackeray labelled it 'not Jan Suraksha but BJP Suraksha Bill'. Despite objections, the Bill was passed owing to the government's numerical strength in both Houses. Opposition members of the Council submitted an eight-page memorandum to the Governor urging him to withhold assent. The urban naxal propaganda machine The 'urban naxal' narrative has long been promoted by BJP sympathisers and Right-wing ideologues. Recent protests—against the CAA-NRC (Citizenship (Amendment) Act-National Register of Citizens), the farm laws, and others—were also branded 'Urban Naxal' conspiracies. The Bhima Koregaon case is the most cited example. Sixteen individuals, including political scientist Anand Teltumbde, activist Sudha Bharadwaj, and 84-year-old Father Stan Swamy, were arrested. Swamy died in custody on July 5, 2021, after being repeatedly denied bail despite suffering from Parkinson's disease. Another example is that of Professor G.N. Saibaba, a Delhi University academic and human rights activist, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court. He was acquitted twice by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court—in October 2022 and March 2024—after spending nearly a decade in jail. Saibaba died on October 12, 2024, while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad. Politics over law Several existing laws already address unlawful activities. Congress MLC Abhijit Vanjari questioned the rationale behind the MSPS Bill: 'The Union Home Minister claims that the Naxal movement is nearly defeated, with only 28 per cent remaining. If true, under which law has this been achieved?' Also Read | As Maharashtra waits to be counted, politics is already doing the math Fadnavis, however, has pushed forward with legislation targeting alleged urban maoists. Sanjay M.G. of the National Alliance for People's Movements said, 'This law is to suppress future protests against the loot of India. The BJP's development model is being resisted—whether it is the redevelopment of Dharavi or mineral exploitation in Vidarbha. People will not stay silent, so this law is meant to silence them.' Vivek Korde, a senior social activist, cited a 2024 report by the Centre for the Study of Organised Hate, which showed that Maharashtra leads in hate speech cases, over 90 per cent of which involve Right-wing leaders. 'If Fadnavis truly cared about law and order, he would legislate against hate speech and violence,' he said. Civil society is planning large-scale protests. 'We are organising protest programmes across Maharashtra,' said Ulka Mahajan of Bharat Jodo Abhiyan. 'This is clearly an anti-people Bill aimed at stopping people from asserting their rights.' Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar announced plans to challenge the law in court. 'This law is draconian and unconstitutional. We are going to fight it legally,' he said. Maharashtra has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons—rampant corruption, MLA hooliganism, violent language protests, and crumbling infrastructure. The passage of the law marks yet another step in the State's steady descent.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Don't question achievements, work of Marathi people: BJP, MahaYuti govt snub Nishikant Dubey
The BJP and the MahaYuti government on Monday chose to distance themselves from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's 'You people are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have?' jibe. Mumbai BJP president and Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, stated in the Assembly on Monday, 'The MP from Jharkhand must definitely present his argument that is within the law, but should not question the achievements and work of Marathi people. Marathi people do not live on anyone's pie.' Shelar did not name Dubey citing the fact that he was not a member of the Maharashtra Assembly. Shelar further said, 'Maharashtra is a testimony to the prowess of Marathi people all over the world. Marathi people's contribution to the GDP is quite substantial.' He added, 'The government's role is to protect the interests of Marathi people and ensure that injustice is not done to them." Shelar went on to add that, 'If the MP from Jharkhand does not know what the contribution of Marathi people is to the country's GDP, we will send him information about it.' Shelar's bid to clarify the position of the BJP and the MahaYuti government came after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray slammed Dubey saying that, 'In Mumbai, non-Marathi speaking people are living with Marathi people with dignity. This has set the BJP's base on fire, there are scoundrels like Dubey, who are trying to vitiate the atmosphere.' Earlier, Dubey sparked controversy as in his fiery response to Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena founder Raj Thackeray, he said, 'You people are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have? If you are courageous enough and beat those who speak Hindi, then you should beat all those who speak Urdu, Tamil, and Telugu. If you are such a big 'boss', come out of Maharashtra, come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. Tumko patak, patak ke marenge.' Dubey criticised the Thackeray brothers for targeting Hindi-speaking people in Mumbai. Reacting to the ongoing row over Marathi language enforcement, Dubey accused the Thackeray cousins of "cheap politics" ahead of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation elections and questioned their selective outrage
Economic Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Uddhav & Raj Thackeray Reunite at Mega ‘Maha Marathi' Rally in Mumbai
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday take part in a joint victory rally organised by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), at Worli Dome to celebrate the MahaYuti government's decision to withdraw two government resolutions on the introduction of Hindi from Classes 1 to 5. It is the first joint rally of the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, after the split in the Shiv Sena in 2005. Amid talks of coming together ahead of the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, slated to be held within the next six months, Uddhav and Raj have decided to jointly raise the issues of the Marathi language and 'Marathi Manoos' in a serious bid to corner the BJP-led MahaYuti government in Maharashtra. Show more 01:19 03:12 01:58 02:53 06:10 11:43 05:37 06:01 01:27 02:54 07:22 03:42 03:33 09:32 04:44 03:05 08:00 02:32 06:12 03:26 03:21 03:26 08:15 02:07 03:01 02:29 02:36 01:37 08:45 02:36 03:37 03:42
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Uddhav & Raj Thackeray Reunite at Mega ‘Maha Marathi' Rally in Mumbai - The Economic Times Video
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday take part in a joint victory rally organised by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), at Worli Dome to celebrate the MahaYuti government's decision to withdraw two government resolutions on the introduction of Hindi from Classes 1 to 5. It is the first joint rally of the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, after the split in the Shiv Sena in 2005. Amid talks of coming together ahead of the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, slated to be held within the next six months, Uddhav and Raj have decided to jointly raise the issues of the Marathi language and 'Marathi Manoos' in a serious bid to corner the BJP-led MahaYuti government in Maharashtra.
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Opposition corners Maha govt on crop loan waiver
Mumbai: Maharashtra opposition on Thursday cornered the MahaYuti government over its poll promise of crop loan waiver and demanded that it should be introduced without further delays. Opposition party legislators Jayant Patil, Vijay Wadettiwar and Bhaskar Jadhav accused the state government of dilly-dallying over its promise of crop loan waiver, saying it is needed immediately as agriculture is suffering from GST, due to which no matter what crop is grown, the production cost is Rs 60,000. Farmers are hit hard by the damage caused due to unseasonal rains, and they are unable to bear the burden amid the rising mismatch between the cost of production and the price the farmers ultimately get for their produce. Opposition members were speaking during the resolution moved by them for discussion on the state government's apathy and neglect towards rising cases of farmers' suicides and losses incurred by them due to market volatility. The opposition members adopted an aggressive posture, expressing their strong displeasure over the absence of ministers from the agriculture, water resources, marketing, water conservation and other departments in the assembly, which led to a ruckus as the ruling party members also expressed their dissatisfaction over the absence of concerned ministers in the house. 'If there are no ministers in the House, the Secretary and Deputy Secretary should be present in the officers' gallery, then call at least a desk officer basically to take notes,' said legislator Suresh Dhas sarcastically. As there were no ministers from any other department except Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha in the House for 15 to 20 minutes, the opposition created a ruckus demanding an adjournment of the House. The BJP member Sudhir Mungantiwar and Suresh Dhas also joined the opposition to take serious objection to the proceedings. They criticised the government, asking questions such as when it will waive off loans, pay for paddy purchase, and provide one and a half times the guaranteed price, when it will investigate bogus crop insurance, and what measures will be taken to address farmer suicides. During the discussion, opposition legislators criticised the government over the controversial statements made by Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate and BJP legislator Babanrao Lonikar. Shiv Sena UBT legislator Bhaskar Jadhav, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP SP legislator Jayant Patil termed the government's policies 'anti-agricultural.' Bhaskar Jadhav said: 'This year, the paddy fields have been destroyed due to untimely rains. When farmers are in trouble everywhere, the Agriculture Minister himself makes fun of the farmers. BJP legislator Babanrao Lonikar also makes insensitive statements against farmers. This is only because of the arrogance of power.' Vijay Wadettiwar said, 'The price of chemical fertilisers has been increased drastically. The price of seeds and pesticides has increased. He demanded that the government announce a crop loan waiver instead of setting up a committee. Jayant Patil and Vijay Wadettiwar asked the government not to make a prestige issue about the implementation of a Rs 86,300 crore Shaktipeeth Mahamarg. They demanded that the government should take the farmers and the opposition into confidence before going ahead with land acquisition and project development. However, BJP legislator Gopichand Papalkar strongly supported the Shaktipeeth Mahamarg and claimed that the opposition parties are politicising the issue.
