Six organisations operating within Maharashtra have already been prohibited in other states, according to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday. He referenced the `Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill`.
The bill, designed to prevent unlawful activities by Left Wing Extremist groups- focusing on urban Naxalism and “passive militancy”- has been approved by the assembly and is scheduled for presentation in the legislative council shortly, according to news agency PTI.
“I am pleased that the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which was introduced during the Winter Session in December of the previous year, received approval from the assembly on Thursday,” Fadnavis stated to reporters at Vidhan Bhavan, reported news agency PTI.
In response to a question regarding the potential impact once the bill is enacted into law, Fadnavis commented, “There are currently 64 organisations operating within the state, six of which are already banned in other states under similar legislation.”
During a discussion in the assembly on Thursday, Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra has the highest number- sixty-four- of extreme left-wing organisations. Some of these groups, which are banned in four other states where similar laws are already implemented, also operate within Maharashtra.
The chief minister said the bill provides a legal framework to act against certain organisations that seek to reject the Indian Constitution despite presenting themselves as constitutional and democratic.
Fadnavis said the Centre had asked all states affected by Naxal activities to pass such a law.
“We have slowly ended the Naxal movement, which used weapons in forests and rural areas. These groups then started creating urban fronts. The names of these organisations appear constitutional, but their real objective is to reject the Constitution. Until now, there was no legal framework to act against them. With this bill, we now have the means,” he said, reported news agency PTI.
CM Fadnavis reiterated that the bill won`t affect the rights of people or groups to protest.
“This bill does not take away anyone`s rights to hold protests or demonstrations. It aims to specifically target those with links to banned frontal organisations of Maoist and Naxal movements. Four states in the country have already passed similar legislation. People are still free to organise rallies and morchas,” he added, reported PTI.
The CM said nearly 12,000 suggestions were considered by the joint select committee entrusted with drafting the bill. The committee, headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, included members of both the Houses of the state legislature, he said.
(With PTI inputs)
