Maharashtra’s Explosive New Bill Targets 6 Banned Groups: Is Urban Naxalism Under Siege?
Maharashtra’s new security bill, passed by the assembly, targets six banned Left Wing groups to curb urban Naxalism, says CM Devendra Fadnavis.
In a bold move to crack down on Left Wing Extremism, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the passage of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, by the state assembly on Thursday. The bill, set to be tabled in the legislative council soon, aims to curb “urban Naxalism” and “passive militancy,” targeting six organizations already banned in other states but operating freely in Maharashtra.
A Sweeping Crackdown
Speaking to reporters at Vidhan Bhavan, Fadnavis revealed that Maharashtra is home to 64 extreme Left Wing organizations, the highest in the country, with six of them outlawed in states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. “These groups appear constitutional but aim to dismantle India’s Constitution,” Fadnavis said, emphasizing the bill’s role in providing a legal framework to act against such organizations.
The bill, first introduced in December 2024, was refined after a joint select committee, led by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, reviewed nearly 12,000 public suggestions. It targets groups linked to Maoist and Naxal movements, which Fadnavis claims have shifted from rural armed rebellion to urban fronts, brainwashing youth and professionals.
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Safeguards or Suppression?
Fadnavis assured that the bill won’t infringe on democratic rights. “This does not take away anyone’s right to protest or hold rallies,” he clarified, stressing that it targets only those linked to banned Naxal organizations. The legislation, modeled after similar laws in four other states, includes an Advisory Board to review bans, ensuring oversight.
However, critics, including civil society groups, warn that the bill’s vague definitions could criminalize dissent, potentially turning Maharashtra into a “police state.” Opposition leaders like CPI’s Vinod Nikole and NCP (SP)’s Rohit Pawar have raised concerns about its misuse against legitimate protests.
A National Push
Fadnavis noted that the Central government has urged Naxal-affected states to enact such laws, as existing frameworks like UAPA and MCOCA are limited in addressing urban Naxal networks. With Maharashtra now joining the ranks of states with stringent anti-Naxal laws, the bill could reshape the state’s approach to internal security.
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