Why is the Opposition Urging Maha Guv to Reject the Public Safety Bill?

Mumbai, July 18 (NationPress) A group from the Maha Vikas Aghadi convened with Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan on Friday, urging him to withhold his approval of the controversial Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, recently passed during the legislative monsoon session. They requested that he return the bill for further review.

The MVA team presented a formal appeal, asserting that the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 represents a calculated effort by the Maharashtra Government to consolidate and legitimize excessive executive powers under the guise of public safety. While some procedural amendments were made following the Joint Committee's suggestions, they maintained that the bill's core remains oppressive, vague, and susceptible to abuse.

In a separate move, the Congress party submitted a letter expressing its opposition to the bill.

The MVA delegation contended that the bill was enacted without adequate consultation with the opposition, disregarding their proposed amendments.

“This legislation will be employed to disguise the government's shortcomings and to silence dissenters,” remarked Vijay Waddetiwar, Congress Legislature Party Leader.

“This isn’t about public security; it’s a security measure for the government. While targeting left-wing elements, it poses a threat to the Constitution. We urge the Governor to send it back for reconsideration and to conduct a public hearing,” he added.

Jayant Patil, leader from the NCP (SP), mentioned that the Governor was receptive to the opposition’s concerns and promised to review their appeal.

The MVA criticized the bill's ambiguous language, including terms such as “left-wing extremists” and “similar organizations,” cautioning that it might be misused against farmers' groups, student unions, and civil rights organizations.

Concerning the provision for “Unlawful Act” in the bill, the delegation stated, “The wording enables authorities to criminalize free expression, assembly, criticism, and association merely by suggesting they pose a potential threat. There is no necessity for actual violence, immediate risk, or intent.”

On the Advisory Board aspect, they highlighted that the terms of office for members and the chairman remain unspecified, allowing for the appointment of individuals aligned with the government under the new law's provisions.

“This jeopardizes the board's impartiality and autonomy. There’s no mechanism for cross-examination, no evidence standards, no obligation to disclose reasons, and no provisions for affected individuals to contest gag orders or surveillance,” they added.

The delegation comprised notable figures including Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, along with Vijay Waddetiwar, Jayant Patil, Jitendra Awhad, and senior leaders Nana Patole, Nitin Raut, Amin Patel, Aslam Sheikh, Rohit Pawar, Anil Parab, Shashikant Shinde, and Ajay Chaudhary.

Additionally, they raised concerns regarding a recent altercation in the Vidhan Sabha involving supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad.

They claimed the state's law and order conditions were deteriorating, with such incidents allegedly perpetrated by individuals “claiming protection from ruling party MLAs and ministers.”

“Criminal elements are operating unchecked under political cover. The Governor must take serious notice of the declining law and order situation in Maharashtra,” concluded the opposition leaders.