Supriya Sule criticises Maharashtra Special Public Security Act Bill

Mumbai: Opposing the proposed Prevention of Certain Unlawful Activities by Individuals And Organizations and For Matters Connected Therewith or Incidental Thereto Bill, NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule said that the Maharashtra government’s decision undermines the fundamental rights of citizens and would establish police-raj.

“The Maharashtra government has decided to introduce a new bill that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens. 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. The principle of democracy also values opposition voices, as they ensure that those in power remain accountable and respect public opinion,” Sule said in a statement posted on X.

Sule, the MP from Baramati, tagged Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar in the post.

“However, in the proposed Prevention of Certain Unlawful Activities by Individuals And Organizations and For Matters Connected Therewith or Incidental Thereto Bill the definition of "illegal acts" seems to grant unlimited powers to government agencies. This effectively gives the government a license to establish a police raj, which could be misused against individuals, institutions, or organizations that express constructive opposition in a democratic manner,” she said.

According to her, the 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. Criticizing government policies and decisions, peacefully protesting, or organizing marches could all be deemed illegal acts. This bill disregards the principles of ideological diversity and directly infringes upon citizens' constitutional rights,” said Sule.

“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 a 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,” she said.