Maharashtra’s Public Security Bill diluted but critics not convinced https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/maharashtras-public-security-bill-diluted-but-critics-not-convinced-101749754939935.html By Surendra P Gangan Jun 13, 2025 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..
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 hardline activities”. Ulka Mahajan, state convenor of the Bharat Jodo Andolan, said they will continue to oppose the bill. “We suspect the bill intends to suppress the voice of the people opposing the government. If they say it will act against leftist and hardline organisations, it means it will be used against opposition parties. Who is to stop the government from linking the Bharat Jodo with frontal organisations of Naxals? And what about their own right-wing organisations?