State-wide protest against Maharashtra security Bill today

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) parties and civil rights activists will hold a State-wide protest on Wednesday against the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, which has been passed by both the Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature and awaits assent by the Maharashtra Governor. The one-day protest will include demonstrations in all the districts of the State.

The Congress said that a similar protest will be held on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 as part of a concerted effort to spread public awareness against the Bill.

“In each district, taluka-level protests will be held as well. The MVA will mobilise its cadres. Our activists will mobilise people at some places,” Ulka Mahajan, a prominent civil rights activist, told The Hindu.

“Before this, we have already held protest marches at 78 locations on April 22. On June 30, we had organised a mass morcha at Azad Maidan on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Maharashtra Assembly,” Ms. Mahajan said.

Protesters have said that the Mahayuti government failed to hold a public hearing about the objections raised against the Bill. “Over 13,000 suggestions were sent to the government about the Bill… 9,500 of these suggestions had clearly opposed it, seeking that it should be scrapped entirely. Instead of holding a public hearing to quell the apprehensions raised by the members of the civil society, the government went ahead with passing the Bill,” the activist said.

The Opposition has criticised the Bill claiming that it violates the fundamental right to free speech and assembly and is vague in giving definitions. It has claimed that the Bill gives the right to the State to target peaceful protests, and it fears that it will be used to silence the Opposition. The State government has said that it seeks to prevent Maoists from brainwashing youth, professionals, and civil servants through front organisations.

As per Bill provisions, the State government can declare any suspect organisation as an “unlawful organisation”. Offences under the proposed law include membership of such organisations, fundraising on their behalf, managing or assisting them, and committing unlawful activities.