Maharashtra’s New Security Bill: A Comprehensive Overview

• Introduced in 2024 by Mahayuti government to counter ‘urban Naxalism’.

• Aims to prevent unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organizations.

• Claims over 60 such organizations exist in Maharashtra, with current laws ineffective against them.

• Civil rights activists argue the government hasn’t disclosed the list of these organizations.

• Criminalizes speech, signs, gestures, or visual representations that interfere with public order.

• Opposition argues Bill empowers government to declare organizations illegal, suppress facts, extend bans, criminalize opposition, exclude lower courts, and create ideologically motivated action.

• Bill to become law once Governor assent, but protests continue.