Maharashtra Assembly passes bill to curb ‘left-wing extremism’

The Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday passed the Special Public Security Bill, aimed at preventing unlawful activities by left-wing extremist groups, PTI reported.

The bill was cleared by a voice vote following a debate that saw Opposition parties express concern about its broad language, particularly the definition of the term “urban Naxal”.

The term “urban Naxals” was first used by Union ministers and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party after several activists and academics were arrested in the Elgar Parishad case in 2018. Since then, the term has often been used to describe some dissidents of the Narendra Modi government.

The bill is yet to be tabled in the Legislative Council.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who tabled the bill in the Assembly, argued that the legislation was needed to counter attempts by left-wing extremist organisations to allegedly infiltrate urban areas and disrupt constitutional institutions.

He stated that while Maoist activity in rural areas had declined significantly, there was a rise in alleged efforts to influence youth in cities through ideological means.

Fadnavis told the Assembly that the law would not be used against legitimate political dissent or recognised Left parties.

“There will be no abuse of power,” PTI quoted the chief minister as saying.

“This is for the internal security of the country,” he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. “It is not against...

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