Latest news with #MaharashtraPublicSecurityBill
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Raj and I together will fulfil Maharashtra's dream, right decision will be taken at right time: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
Mumbai: Even as MNS chief Raj Thackeray maintained a studied silence on an alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) after their 'victory rally' this month, Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday reiterated that the two cousins are together. "Whoever has a problem with two brothers coming together should deal with it. We will fulfil Maharashtra's dream together. The right decision will be taken at the right time," Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav said in an interview with the party newspaper Saamna on Sunday. When asked if any talks were held on the two coming together politically, he said, "Talks will happen. We came together after 20 years. That's not a small thing. I am ready to do whatever is necessary for the Marathi people, language, and the culture of Maharashtra." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "I can pick up the phone and call him. He can call me. Why does anyone have a problem with us meeting? The Thackerays don't meet secretly. If we have to meet, we will meet openly." He added, "As a result of us coming together, not only are the Marathi people happy, but so are those who speak other languages. Even our Muslim brothers are happy." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain Keeping You Up at Night? This Trick Could Help Instantly Read More Undo When asked about the MVA alliance for polls in municipal corporations, Uddhav said, "When we held talks recently, the Congress said they may take decisions at the local level. If that's the case, that's what we will do." Clearing the air about his recent meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state legislature, Uddhav said, "I went to meet him. After all, he is the chief minister, and we hope he does some good. But as a former political ally, I can only advise him to put an end to the controversies surrounding his ministerial colleagues. Finally, it will affect Fadnavis's reputation." On the controversy over the imposition of Hindi in schools, he said, "BJP is instigating divisions between different states. But our position is clear. We are not against Hindi, but we do not want it to be imposed on us." Attacking BJP, Uddhav said his party was split in order to hand over the ownership of Mumbai to the Adani group. "Land in Dharavi has been handed over to the Adani group. Why are the mill workers not given free land?" he asked. He further said that the Maharashtra Public Security Bill, which was recently passed by the state legislature, would prevent justice for the public of Dharavi. "The people who ask for their rights in Dharavi will go to jail. That's what this law is about." Uddhav also took a dig at the possibility of PM Modi retiring at the age of 75. "He may even announce his retirement. Then he will say, 'how can I break people's hearts', and he will resume. People will be brought onto the streets, and there will be nautanki." Criticising the central govt over the Pahalgam terrorist attack, he asked: "The question is how did this attack happen, and how did the terrorist venture so deep inside? And after three months, why have they not even been traced?" He also said the public needed to be told why Operation Sindoor was called off. "The US President repeatedly says he stopped the war between India and Pakistan. And our brave PM is silent."
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Public Security Bill: Vague and dangerous for civil liberties
'When I use a word,' says Humpty Dumpty in Lewis Carol's Through the Looking Glass, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.' However, when words are used in a piece of legislation, they cannot mean what the party in power wants them to. After all, vagueness is a legitimate ground for striking down a piece of legislation if it violates equality before the law and equal protection. Consider this: In the new Maharashtra Public Security Bill, an unlawful activity, defined under Section 2(f), targets a wide range of activities. They include, 'acts which constitute a danger or menace to public order, peace and tranquility; or (an act) which interferes or tends to interfere with maintenance of public order; or interferes or tends to interfere with the administration of law or its established institutions and personnel, which is designed to overawe by criminal force or show of criminal force or otherwise to any public servant including the Forces of the State Government or the Central Government in exercise of the lawful powers of such public servant and Forces; or of indulging in or propagating, acts of violence, vandalism or other acts generating fear and apprehension in the public, or indulging in or encouraging, the use of firearms, explosives or other devices or disrupting communications by rail, road, air or water; or of encouraging or preaching disobedience to established law and its institutions; of collecting money or goods to carry out any one or more of the unlawful activities mentioned above'. In another piece of criminal legislation, the same term is defined 'as an act (whether by committing an act or by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representation or otherwise) which is intended, or supports any claim, to bring about, on any ground whatsoever, the cession of a part of the territory of India or the secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union, or which incites any individual or group of individuals to bring about such cession or secession; or which disclaims, questions, disrupts or is intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India; or which causes or is intended to cause disaffection against India'. We now have an interesting conundrum. The term, 'unlawful activity', for the purposes of criminal law, therefore, has two different meanings under two different statutes. But the definition of an unlawful activity is so vague and broad that any person who chooses to oppose, for whatsoever reason or motivation, any act of the government can be jailed. Under the law, for example, Mahatma Gandhi could be jailed for carrying out the Salt Satyagraha. So can the participants of the Swadeshi Movement. B R Ambedkar could be jailed for burning the Manusmriti. Under the same law, peaceful protests could be criminalised, and protestors jailed for years without trial. The definition of an unlawful act has several vague terms designed for misuse and to strike at the core of liberty of the citizen to oppose and protest state action. For example, instead of the word 'abetting', which is commonly used in criminal law, the new law uses the word encouraging. What amounts to abetting a crime is well-known and settled jurisprudence. However, the word 'encouraging' is alien to criminal law and thus susceptible to widespread misuse. In the Assembly, the Chief Minister assured the state that he will not allow for misuse of the law while he himself has, in the past, claimed that Urban Naxals joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In the Chief Minister's view, therefore, jailing the members of the Bharat Jodo Yatra would not amount to a misuse of the law, and thus, make all of them liable criminally under this new law. For far too long, the ghost of another term, 'Urban Naxal' has continued to haunt activists like Stan Swamy and Rona Wilson, academics like Shoma Sen, lawyers like Surendra Gadling. Indeed, the blatant misuse of the UAPA against civilians began in Maharashtra in 2018 by imprisoning 16 academics, out of whom eight are out on bail, and Stan Swamy in jail. Some like Mahesh Raut continue to languish in jail. What this Bill provides us with is a Faustian bargain of security at the cost of liberty. Ultimately, as we well know with UAPA, we will be left with neither. As citizens, we must be resolute that a free people can never be truly secure without the unwavering protection of their fundamental rights. The writer is a lawyer practicing in Delhi who has appeared for some of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon case
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Opposition seeks apology over MLC's ‘urban Naxal' remark on wari pilgrimage
Holding copies of the Constitution, Opposition leaders staged a protest on the steps of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday (July 3, 2025), condemning Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande's remarks alleging the presence of 'urban Naxals' in the annual Ashadhi wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Leaders across the Opposition spectrum — including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve (Shiv Sena-UBT), Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad — accused the Mahayuti government of attempting to defame a centuries-old religious tradition and demanded an apology from the ruling alliance. 'This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra's cultural identity. The government must immediately withdraw these remarks and apologise to the warkari community,' Mr. Danve said during the protest. The Ashadhi wari is a revered annual pilgrimage during which lakhs of devotees — known as warkaris — walk to Pandharpur to offer prayers to Lord Vitthal. Ms. Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, claimed in the Legislative Council on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) that urban Naxals had infiltrated the wari and were attempting to mislead devotees. 'Atheist individuals who do not believe in God have entered the wari. This is a serious matter. Under the guise of groups like Samvidhan Dindi, Paryavaran Wari, and Lokayat, they are staging street plays, delivering speeches, and influencing warkaris,' Ms. Kayande alleged. She also cited past instances where pieces of meat were reportedly thrown during the procession. She urged the Mahayuti government to act swiftly to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage and said the proposed Maharashtra Public Security Bill would help curb such disruptive elements. 'During last year's Lok Sabha elections, these same elements spread a false narrative about the Constitution being changed,' Ms. Kayande added. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena faction that nominated Ms. Kayande, told the House that the government had taken cognisance of the matter and had directed the Home Department to investigate the claims. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam also said his office had received complaints about attempts by alleged 'urban Naxals' to disrupt social harmony and assured the House that the matter would be taken seriously. The Opposition, however, dismissed the remarks as baseless and politically motivated. They alleged that the comments were part of a deliberate attempt to politicise a spiritual event and discredit the peaceful warkari movement. 'This is an attempt to sow division under the guise of security concerns. The government must stop targeting religious gatherings with ideological labels,' Mr. Awhad said.
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Business Standard
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Maha oppn stages protest against Sena MLC's remarks on Warkari sect
Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, on Wednesday claimed in the legislative council that 'urban Naxals' have infiltrated the wari annual pilgrimage and are attempting to mislead 'warkaris' Press Trust of India Mumbai Opposition legislators staged a protest at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan's steps on Thursday against Shiv Sena lawmaker Manisha Kayande's remarks claiming "urban Naxals" have infiltrated the annual wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The protesters, including Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, held copies of the Constitution and shouted slogans criticising the government for allegedly defaming the religious tradition. They accused the government of promoting superstition and dividing the society by targeting devotees who participate in the holy Ashadhi wari annual pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur. Kayande's remarks were unfounded, misleading and an attempt to politicise the spiritual journey undertaken by lakhs of 'warkaris' (devotees of Lord Vitthal) every year, they claimed. The opposition leaders alleged that such remarks were an attempt to create discord and insult the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual tradition of the wari. "This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra's cultural identity. The government should immediately withdraw the remarks and apologise to the warkari community," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Danve said. Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, on Wednesday claimed in the legislative council that "urban Naxals" have infiltrated the wari annual pilgrimage and are attempting to mislead 'warkaris'. The MLC said in the past, there were incidents where pieces of meat were thrown during the wari. Prominent Warkari sect leader Bandatatya Karadkar had objected to such acts. She urged the Mahayuti government to take immediate action to preserve the sanctity of the wari. Kayande said the BJP-led government is set to introduce the Maharashtra Public Security Bill, which is specifically aimed at curbing such disruptive elements. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, on Wednesday said the government has taken cognisance of the matter raised by the MLC and appropriate directions will be issued to the home department for an inquiry. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam also said he had received complaints about attempts by 'urban Naxals' to divide the society and assured the government would look into the matter. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Elgar Parishad case accused under scrutiny after attending Veera Sathidar memorial
Nagpur: The Elgar Parishad case accused, who are out on bail, had thronged the Veera Sathidar memorial event at Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Sammelan on May 13, top security sources told TOI. Though the event was organised as a memorial for the acclaimed filmmaker, security agency sources stated it turned into a platform for attacking the Maharashtra govt's efforts to table the proposed Maharashtra Public Security Bill to rein in frontal organisations of alleged urban Maoists. The speakers at the programme incited the audience to vehemently oppose the proposed law before it's tabled in the forthcoming monsoon assembly. "We held demonstrations against the proposed bill at 80 places in 36 districts of Maharashtra," said one of the speakers. Activists like Sudhir Dhawale and former Nagpur University professor Soma Sen, who are out on bail in the Elgar Parishad case, participated in the event, said a top source in the security apparatus that watched participants at the programme. Apart from Koregaon Bhima, Dhawale has other cases against him related to anti-govt activities, said a police official. Sen was present with her husband, Tushar Kant Bhattacharya, a former Maoist who was arrested with a cache of arms from Patna in 2007. Again, he was arrested by Gujarat ATS from Geetanjali Express for a case registered in the state, a decade ago. Senior police officers said they are now trying to zero in on Dhawale, Suvarna Salve, her sister Shrusti, and others who were present at the programme to record statements and initiate other action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo According to a senior police officer, efforts would now be made to cancel the bail of the Elgar Parishad case accused who attended the programme, where tactics to corner govt were discussed. "We will soon take up the matter with the investigation agency and push for cancellation of their bail," said the senior officer. On Wednesday, Pushpa Sathidar, wife of the acclaimed late leftist filmmaker and actor Veera Sathidar, appeared before Sitabuldi police station on Wednesday to record her statement. She claimed she was an ordinary "anganwadi" worker and did not know about the participants. Police had invoked BNS Section 152 against Pushpa, another woman who rendered Faiz Ahmed Faiz's anti-establishment couplets "Hum Dekhenge" and another orator who had hailed the couplet as an inspiration to overthrow a tyrannical regime. Inspector Rakhi Gedam of Sitabuldi police station said Pushpa was sent back after recording her statement. "We may need to summon her again for questioning," said Gedam. Sources in security agencies present at the memorial programme said an activist from "Samata Kala Manch", Suvarna, rendered the Urdu couplet of Faiz, which was subsequently lauded in his speech by one Siddharth. The complainant, Dattatreya Shirke, stated he was not against Faiz's poem but opposed the comments against govt. Police are now intensifying their probe into the event's organisers and participants, suspecting a coordinated effort to undermine the state. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on whether the Veera Sathidar memorial was exploited to further an anti-govt agenda instead of focusing on his legacy.
