Mumbai, March 15: NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule on Saturday attacked the state government saying that the Bill to check the ‘Urban Naxal’ menace known as the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2024 undermines the fundamental rights of citizens.

Supriya Sule said that through this Bill, the right of common people to speak against the government will be taken away.

In a truly healthy democracy, dissenting opinions are respected and the principle of democracy also values Opposition voices, as they ensure that those in power remain accountable and respect public opinion, Supriya Sule added.

She has urged the government to review the draft of this Bill and ensure that constitutional values are not violated.

Sule chose to target the government after the Maharashtra Legislative Secretariat, through an advertisement in national newspapers, appealed to the citizens and non-government organisations among others, to submit suggestions and objections till April 1 on the Bill.

The Secretariat’s move comes after the state Assembly during the Winter Session decided to refer it to a committee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule for further deliberations.

In her post regarding the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2024 on X, Sule said, “In the proposed ‘Prevention of certain unlawful activities by individuals and organisations and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto’, the definition of “illegal acts” seems to grant unlimited powers to government agencies.

“This effectively gives the government a licence to establish a Police Raj, which could be misused against individuals, institutions, or organisations that express constructive Opposition in a democratic manner.

“This Bill undermines the very concept of “We, the People of India.” By granting the administration unchecked powers, there is a risk that individuals may be harassed out of sheer vindictiveness.

“Criticising government policies and decisions, peacefully protesting, or organising marches could all be deemed illegal acts. This Bill disregards the principles of ideological diversity and directly infringes upon citizens’ constitutional rights.”

“Furthermore, the Bill grants the government the power to interfere in certain judicial processes, posing a direct threat to judicial independence. Some of its provisions encroach upon fundamental constitutional rights such as Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Association, and the Right to Fair Trial.”

“Historically, the British attempted to introduce a similar law (The Rowlatt Act) to suppress opposition during colonial rule. This Bill is a direct denial of the core principles of the Indian Constitution, and we strongly condemn it. We urge the government to review the draft of this Bill and ensure that constitutional values are not violated,” said Sule.

The Bill, which was presented by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state Assembly on December 18 last year, proposes to contain ‘Urban Naxal’ menace and provide more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and organisations.

He said that the Bill is not aimed to suppress genuine dissent but to weed out the ‘Urban Naxal’ bastions.

The Bill proposes jail term and penalty payable by unlawful organisations and powers to take possession of places and forfeit funds.

The Bill is crafted on the lines of the Public Security Act passed by Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for effective monitoring of unlawful activities of Naxal frontal organisations or similar organisations.

Vasai-Virar: A video became popular depicting a long line on Holi day outside a mutton shop in Virar. An X user shared a video highlighting the waiting line of Virar locals purchasing mutton (goat meat) from Azeez Mutton shop and remarked in the caption that called out people for criticising animal slaughter only on Bakri Eid but turns a blind eye on other festivals where people enjoy meat.

The post was initially shared by a user on X (@single_soul1), reacting to the lengthy line outside the mutton shop, pointing out that the Jain community does not object to Hindu celebrations where meat is consumed, yet it seems to only condemn Islamic festivals for doing likewise.

The X user (@HumairaMirza7) reposted the post with caption that stated: “Now, during Bakra Eid, everyone will suddenly remember ‘Animal lives matter’., There was a huge queue at Azeez Mutton shop in Virar during Holi.”

When it comes to certain restrictions that are imposed on religious customs, a unfair play is always seen amongst the communities claiming the restrictions are only placed on them and not the other religions or customs.

Mumbai: The situation is peaceful after the communal tension on Shimga Holi in Ratnagiri Rajapur, Maharashtra. During the Holi Shimga procession at Jamia Masjid in Ratnagiri Rajapur, people of a particular community tried to damage the door of the mosque, after which the situation deteriorated here, but the police have registered a case in this matter under various sections and the Police Act. Police have registered a case in this case against Sanjay Khopade, Ankit Arvind Khatkar, Prajit Khopade, Dashrath Dudhgavkar, Prashant Marathe, Amit Kadam, Shopnil Balkarkar, Prashan Devasthali, Mahesh Narayan Reddy, Sujit Ramesh Shinde, Prasad Masurkar, Shubham Pawar, Raju Murte and others. All of them are residents of Rajapur Ratnagiri.

On the night of March 12, miscreants forcibly entered the Jama Masjid while the Shimga Holi procession was being taken out through that route. The mob is also accused of forcibly damaging the gate. The police have registered a case in this matter. Also, to worsen the situation, people of a particular community also raised slogans of Jai Shri Ram, Har Har Mahadev and violated the prohibitory orders, after which the police have registered a case.

The situation in Ratnagiri is peaceful, but tension persists. SP Ratnagiri Dhananjay Kulkarni said that a case of violation of prohibitory orders has been registered because a crowd had gathered near the Jama Masjid. The situation here is peaceful, but the market of rumors is active. He appealed to the public not to pay attention to rumors. The police have tightened security in the area. According to tradition, there is a custom of placing a stick on the stairs of Jawahar Chowk Jama Masjid in Rajapur village and saluting and coconut and garland are offered from here. After that the procession starts, but tension spread at night when the crowd forcibly attacked the gate while shouting Jai Shri Ram slogans.

Assembly member Nitesh Rane said that the festival of Shimga and Holi is celebrated according to tradition in Ratnagiri, so there is no tension here. Some people are trying to spoil the atmosphere. While the festival of Holi is celebrated peacefully here, Hindus and Muslims live together. There is no tension or tension. The situation is peaceful. He said that an attempt has been made to mislead by presenting this incident on social media, while the facts are different. When the route of the procession is like this and it is a tradition, it is also important to find out who closed the gate of the mosque and what is the reason behind it. He said that Muslims also welcome the Holi procession and there is mutual brotherhood.