Committee Dilutes Public Security Bill

The special panel set up to deliberate on the controversial Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, has decided to dilute some of the provisions — but is it enough?

- Surendra P Gangan

MUMBAI:

The decision to amend the objective of the bill and a few of its provisions was taken by a joint select committee after more than 12,300 objections were raised by civil society groups and social organisations to the draft legislation, which aims at curbing "urban Naxal" activities.

Giving the state sweeping powers to clamp down on Naxal or leftist activities, the bill has been opposed by civil society as repressive and anti-people. Its opponents claim it could be misused by the state to silence dissent and target entities critical of the government — activities that fall outside the purview of Naxalism.

The 26-member committee, comprising legislators from across political parties, has amended the objective of the bill, to ensure that individuals cannot be prosecuted under the proposed act; only organisations can be booked under its provisions.

The second change in the objective is in the nature of the activity that can fall under the purview of the proposed legislation — the panel has amended its definition from "unlawful activities" to "unlawful leftist or hard-line activities".