Anti-Bill Voices Indirectly Support Naxal Ideology': CM Devendra Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday stated that the recently passed Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, would enable the government to take decisive action against “urban Naxalism.”

He said those opposing the legislation are “in a way trying to take forward the Left-wing extremism ideology.” Fadnavis clarified that the bill does not infringe on anyone’s right to protest or criticise the government.

The legislation, designed to counter the activities of Left-wing extremist groups, proposes stringent measures including imprisonment of up to seven years, fines reaching Rs5 lakh, and classifying related offences as cognisable and non-bailable.

The bill was cleared by the state assembly on Thursday and by the legislative council the following day. It will be enacted once it receives the governor's assent.

When asked about BJP MLA Sumit Wankhede's allegation that “urban Naxalism” had infiltrated Gandhian institutions in Wardha district, Fadnavis said the spread of “urban Naxalism” was part of a deliberate and strategic effort over recent years.

“They (Maoists) made a strategic change, when it came to their notice that their cadres in jungles were diminishing. They decided to enter educational institutions, universities or various other organisations to finish off the constitutional rule there and create anarchy through these urban cadres,” he said.

The CM further added, “We can see those fighting against us with guns, but these urban (Naxal) cadres are invisible and slowly corrupting our systems. Hence, this new law will help us in taking big action against urban Naxalism”.

To another query on the bill, Fadnavis said he was happy that both houses of the state legislature have passed it.

“We had gone through a big democratic process in introducing this bill,” he said.

“The bill was placed before all party leaders and discussed clause by clause. We incorporated all suggestions by the committee (joint select panel of both houses of the state legislature). There was not a single dissent note to the committee report,” he said.

Fadnavis said 12,000 suggestions had been received which were taken into consideration and necessary changes were made, and the bill was approved after discussions into both the houses.

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“Hence, now we will get to take action against the powers not accepting the Indian Constitution and working against it. Some people are speaking against the bill without even going through it. They will never speak against the bill if they read it,” he said.

Asked about Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai's recent statement about the country's legal system facing unique challenges and badly in need of fixing, Fadnavis said the CJI's comments were absolutely correct. “There is a need to make our criminal justice system faster,” he said.