Uddhav Thackeray slammed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, warning that “democracy is dying at the Supreme Court’s doorstep” and appealed to the CJI to safeguard people’s rights. Opposition leaders and activists unitedly vowed to challenge the controversial law in court and on the streets.
Mumbai: On August 15, Shiv Sena (UBT) president and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray strongly attacked the BJP-led state government’s recently passed Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill and appealed to the Chief Justice of India to safeguard democracy.
Speaking at a conclave organized by Opposition parties and civil society groups, Thackeray alleged that the Bill threatens citizens’ rights and freedoms while highlighting how important cases related to his party are still pending in the Supreme Court.
Thackeray said,
“Yesterday (Wednesday), the Chief Justice agreed to refer the case of stray dogs to a bigger bench and give it a hearing. The dogs of Delhi are getting a hearing… You all know that cases regarding Shiv Sena and NCP are pending at the Supreme Court. What we are getting is date after date. I have said this earlier and am saying it again. Democracy is dying at your (SC) doorstep and I request you to please take care of it. If democracy is saved, people are saved and then dogs too would be saved.”
Criticising the vague use of terms in the Bill, Thackeray questioned its intent and said,
“Hang them (terrorist and traitors) irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. Is there a mention of terrorists or traitors in this bill? Had it been against them, we would have supported it.”
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also alleged that laws in Maharashtra are being applied selectively to protect those close to the ruling party while targeting others.
He referred to a recent case involving alleged corruption and said that while a municipal officer in Vasai-Virar was arrested for possessing cash, no action was taken against a minister from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena despite a viral video showing him with a bag full of cash.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal echoed Thackeray’s concerns and called the law an ideological move by the Chief Minister.
He said,
“This bill is a brainchild of a power hungry Chief Minister who wants to implement the ideology presented in Bunch of Thoughts (a book written by former RSS head MS Golawalkar). This is nothing but an attempt by the CM to impress his party leadership to overpower the possible power battle against the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.”
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar too opposed the bill, stating that it directly curbs constitutional rights. Pawar admitted that the Opposition was unable to stop the Bill in the Assembly but managed to resist it in the Council.
He said,
“The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill will trample on people’s freedom of expression.”
CPM state secretary Ajit Navale stressed the unity among political parties against the controversial legislation. He said,
“The aim is to ensure withdrawal of this bill. And I am confident that we will achieve it unitedly.”
Adding to this, social activist Ulka Mahajan announced a state-wide agitation. She said,
“At least one public rally will be held in each constituency of Opposition legislators and we will also take the bill to the court.”
She also explained that a three-step protest plan has been prepared, beginning with a major agitation across Maharashtra on September 10.
The conclave saw a rare show of unity across the Opposition spectrum, with leaders and activists arguing that the Bill is not aimed at tackling terrorism or security threats but rather at silencing political rivals and ordinary citizens. The Opposition plans to intensify protests both on the streets and through legal challenges in court.
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