Mumbai: In a significant move, the Maharashtra Assembly passed the ‘Special Public Security Bill 2024’, aimed at countering extreme-left ideologies and organisations allegedly promoting unlawful activities across the state.
The bill tabled by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on July 10 was first introduced in the state assembly last year and sent subsequently before a Joint Select Committee which reviewed over 12000 suggestions for amendments.
Speaking at the house, CM Fadnavis said that the new bill was designed to fill the legislative gap left by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which primarily deals with active terror activities but lacks scope in tackling ideological indoctrination and subversive movements.
CM Fadnavis highlighted that the influence of the Maoist ideology is growing in the urban and rural areas of the state, particularly in districts like Gadchiroli and Konkan.
He stressed that the Maoists, who are facing extinction, are “trying to brainwash the youth of urban areas and make them stand up against the democratic system”.
The ‘Special Public Security Bill’ seeks to ban individuals and organisations indulging in or promoting violence, guerrilla warfare, or attempting to destabilise the government through unlawful means.
Underscoring the need of enacting such a legislation, Fadnavis said that the existing laws like the UAPA come into effect after the occurrence of unlawful activities, but the Bill introduced includes preventive measures such as early intervention before the eruption of violence.
As per the details, the Bill penalises any ‘unlawful activity’, which is defined as “any action taken by an individual or organization whether by committing an act or by words either spoken or written or by sign or by visible representation or otherwise which constitute a danger or menace to public order, peace and tranquillity; or which interferes or tends to interfere with maintenance of public order; or which interferes or tends to interfere with the administration of law or its established institutions and personnel”.
The quantum of punishment for an unlawful activity defined in the legislation ranges from 2 to 7 years of imprisonment.
The Bill enables the government to constitute a three-member advisory panel, comprising of a sitting or retired high court judge, a district magistrate, and a public prosecutor, to oversee case reviews before prosecution, ensuring fair and transparent implementation.
Clarifying that the bill will only be invoked when an organisation tries to defy the constitution or constitutional authorities, CM Fadnavis said that cases of violence during protests will continue to be dealt with by the BNS.
He added that the public safety legislation introduced by the government targets organisations inspired by extreme left ideologies which aim to challenge constitutional governance through armed struggle. Citing the example of the CPI (Maoist), Fadnavis said, “These groups reject democratic institutions and seek to replace them”.
Opposition raises concerns over the Bill
The opposition members however opposed the legislation with CPI (Marxist) MLA, Vinod Nikole saying that the law would be misused.
“I am the only MLA from the left party. Violent action should be curbed. There is MCOCA and UAPA. The CM has ended Naxalism in Gadchiroli, but I am opposing this Bill as it can be misused,” Nikole said.
Amongst the others who opposed the legislation were Rohit Pawar of the NCP-SP faction, Bhaskar Jadhav and Varun Sardesai of Shiv Sena UBT faction, and Vishwajeet Kadam of INC. They registered opposition regarding some clauses in the Bill, including the term ‘urban naxal’. They claimed that some of the suggestions of the joint select committee were not included in the revised bill.
Meanwhile Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Friday also questioned the intent behind the legislation, asking what the government has achieved in fighting against Naxalites.
CM assured Bill against those who conspire to overthrow constitution
Addressing the concerned raised by the opposition members CM Fadnavis clarified that the Bill is not against the left-wing parties but against those who aims to demolished the established institution of the country.
“Some members have expressed apprehensions, but this Act is not against any left-wing political party. This is against those organisations which are inciting people to overthrow the Indian Constitution. This is for the internal security of the country. It is not against left-wing parties like CPI or CPI (M). We, in fact, respect them even though we have different ideologies, said CM.
He added that the legislation is against those organisations whose motive is to demolish the established institutions of our country. They will face action”.
Highlighting the success achieved by the government in curbing the Maoist activities in the state, CM Fadnavis said “Naxalism which was once active across 4 districts, is now confined to just 2 talukas (blocks) and is expected to be completely eliminated within a year.
The CM emphasied that the Maoist groups are now using civilian organization as they are facing crunch of active cadres. “As they struggle to find active militants, Naxal groups are now using civil organisations to create passive militants,” he said.
Interacting with the media outside the assembly, the CM said “I feel satisfied that we have passed the bill. The way numbers of Maoists fighting with guns in forests and rural areas is being curbed, attempts are being made by these people to establish a ‘Urban Front’ under a well thought design.”
“They brand and name them as if these organisations operates strictly under the constitutional norms, but their real essence is to defy Bhartiya constitution,” he added. He highlighted that out of the five states where the Maoist movement still exists, 4 have already enacted such laws.
अर्बन माओवादी संघटनाओं पर अंकुश लगाने और उनपर सख्त कार्रवाई करने के लिए 'जन सुरक्षा विधेयक' विधानसभा में पारित…
(विधान भवन, मुंबई | 11-7-2025)#Maharashtra #Mumbai #NaxalFreeMaharashtra pic.twitter.com/vBHqmNMvHa
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 11, 2025
Fadanavis noted that over 60 such organisations are active in Maharashtra under the category and there was no specific legislation in the state to act against them. He stressed that the legislation only aims to curb urban Maoists and frontal outfits of the Maoists.
The urban network of Maoists
It is worth mentioning that the Maoist group works in close association with a broader network of frontal outfits and individuals who sympathise and work for the Maoist cause in urban settlements.
Now with armed Maoist-insurgency nearing its end on ground, the urban network of the outlaws still poses a significant security challenge to the concerned agencies.
These sympathisers often provide cover-fire to the Maoist armed movement by offering legal, logistic and ideological support.
Investigation carried out by agencies has unveiled involvement of such individuals and groups in orchestrating violence, unrest and chaos among the masses.
NIA’s investigations into cases related to CPI (Maoist) have also unveiled about frontal groups involved actively in opposing the counter-insurgency campaigns against Maoists.
Further security agencies have also disclosed about groups and individuals indulged in recruiting youths on behalf of the Maoist group while furthering the agenda of the Maoist outfit in urban areas.
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