Maharashtra Opposition urges Governor not to give assent to Public Safety Bill

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Opposition on Friday met Governor CP Radhakrishnan urging him to not give his assent to the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, calling it 'draconian' bill that could stifle 'democracy'.

The bill was passed by both houses of legislature during the monsoon session and the Opposition voted in support of the bill in the assembly. However, on Friday, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Jayant Patil of NCP (SP) and UBT Sena leaders met the Governor and raised their concerns over the bill.

"We informed the governor that the manner in which the Jan Suraksha Bill (Public Safety Bill) was allowed to be passed was not good. We were not taken into confidence (during the passage of the bill). We were not allowed to speak, we had suggestions and objections which were not allowed to be placed," said Wadettiwar after meeting the governor.


He added, "The government will use the bill to crush the voices against it... we have MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act), why do we need this law? The bill has provisions that are against the Constitution and the common man. We have told the governor that he should not sign the bill and send it back and there should be a public hearing on this bill."

On July 10, the Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Congress, UBT Sena and NCP (SP) gave their support to it as it was introduced in the assembly.