The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations with focus on urban Naxalism and "passive militancy", was passed by the state legislature during the recent monsoon session of the state legislature
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the law was not against demonstrators or those who criticise the government. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that the Special Public Security Bill is not for taking action against those who criticise the government, but warned that those who act like urban Naxals will be arrested under it, reported the PTI.
The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations with focus on urban Naxalism and "passive militancy", was passed by the state legislature during the recent monsoon session of the state legislature.
The bill, which has stringent provisions, including hefty fines and jail term up to seven years for those found guilty, has sparked criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties, who view it as a tool to suppress dissent under the pretext of national security, according to the PTI.
Talking to reporters in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Saturday, CM Fadnavis said the law was not against demonstrators or those who criticise the government.
"If you act like an urban naxal, you will be arrested," he said when asked about Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray's challenge to the CM to arrest his party workers under the newly-passed legislation, as per the PTI.
On Raj Thackeray's charge that the CM wanted to forcibly teach young children Hindi but not Marathi to those coming from outside, CM Fadnavis said that Marathi is mandatory in Maharashtra, but an additional Indian language should be learnt along with it.
"I am opposed to laying a red carpet to English instead of an Indian language," he said, the news agency reported.
Seamless administrative support to industries can help overcome global economic challenges: CM Fadnavis
Meanwhile CM Fadnavis has expressed confidence about overcoming global trade barriers, including the 25 per cent tariff imposed by the United States, saying seamless administrative support to industries can help deal with international economic challenges, as per the PTI.
The United States on Friday slapped a 25 per cent tariff on India, potentially impacting about half of the USD 86 billion Indian exports to America.
Speaking at a two-day administrative conference at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur, CM Fadnavis on Saturday said, "If we provide seamless administrative support to our industries, we can overcome any international economic challenge," reported the PTI.
He said that the state government will soon implement key reforms aimed at providing citizens with efficient and responsive governance.
(with PTI inputs)
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