SPSA aims to curb 'passive militancy

Civil society groups question need for law, say it has not been diluted, and plan to challenge it in court

- Surendra P Gangan

Maharashtra has become the fifth state after Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha to enact a special law to curb left wing extremism (LWE), the central government's preferred term for Maoist/ Naxalite activities.

On Thursday, the Special Public Security Act (SPSA) was unanimously passed by the legislative assembly even as civil society groups and organisations said the law was against the Constitution and they would challenge it in court.

What is the need for a new law?

While speaking in the assembly during a discussion on the bill on Thursday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maoist activities were now restricted to only two tehsils in Gadchiroli. So what was the need for a new law?

The statement of objects and reasons in the new law provides some answers. Cities in Maharashtra have become dens and safe houses for Maoist networks, it says, adding, “Unlawful activities by frontal organisations need to be controlled by effective means as existing laws are ineffective and inadequate to tackle the menace.”

How does passive militancy spread?