The Maharashtra Assembly approved the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, on 10 July 2025. The law aims to curb unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist (LWE) groups and similar organisations. It will now proceed to the Legislative Council for further approval. This legislation marks Maharashtra as the fifth state of India to enact a dedicated public security law targeting extremist groups.
Recent Legislative Developments
The Bill was introduced in December 2024 during the Winter Session. It was referred to a joint select committee for detailed scrutiny. The committee’s report was tabled by Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule in July 2025. Despite opposition from parties like the Communist Party of India (CPI) and concerns raised by others, the Bill was passed by voice vote in the Assembly. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that the law would not be misused and urged unanimous support.
Purpose and Scope of the Bill
The law targets unlawful Left Wing Extremist organisations. Maharashtra currently hosts 64 such groups, the highest in India, none of which have been banned so far. The Bill allows the state to impose prison terms of two to seven years on members of these banned organisations. It also empowers authorities to seize and forfeit assets linked to these groups. Offences under this Act will be cognisable and non-bailable, strengthening enforcement.
Legal and Procedural Provisions
The Bill does not permit arrest of individuals solely based on ideology. A person must be a confirmed member of a banned organisation to face charges. This provision aims to avoid targeting individuals for mere association or expression of views. The law aligns with similar statutes in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, which have banned 48 frontal extremist organisations collectively.
Concerns and Criticism
Opposition voices raised issues about potential misuse. CPI legislator Vinod Nikole cautioned that lawful protests could be unfairly penalised. NCP leader Rohit Pawar brought into light ambiguous definitions in the Bill, fearing that Left-leaning ideologies might be broadly targeted without clear criteria. Shiv Sena MLA Varun Sardesai questioned if student or farmers’ groups with Left affiliations could be criminalised for protests or social media posts. These concerns underline the need for precise legal language and safeguards.
Impact on Public Security and Civil Liberties
The Bill aims to make Maharashtra less hospitable to extremist groups by legally restricting their activities. It intends to strengthen public security and protect citizens from violence linked to Left Wing Extremism. However, balancing security with protection of democratic rights remains a challenge. The law’s implementation will require careful monitoring to prevent infringement on peaceful dissent.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the implications of public security laws on civil liberties and democratic rights in India.
- Examine the role of state governments in countering Left Wing Extremism and the challenges they face.
- Analyse the legal provisions for banning organisations under Indian law. How do these impact freedom of association and expression?
- Estimate the effectiveness of specialised public security legislation in reducing extremist violence. What alternative strategies can be employed?
