Don’t be misled by the cosmetic changes to the Maharashtra Public Security Bill!

The real motive is now clear: protect the capitalists, punish those who stand for working masses!

The Maharashtra Public Security Bill, now passed by the Legislative Assembly, has faced strong opposition from various political parties, civil society groups, and mass organizations. Widespread protests erupted across the state ever since the fascist-controlled Mahayuti government introduced it. In response to the growing outrage, a few provisions have been tweaked and the bill is now being falsely projected as “softened.” In reality, there is no softening and the real intent of the government is now exposed more nakedly.

For example, the original clause referred to the “prevention of illegal activities of individuals and organizations.” This has now been replaced with a focus on “unlawful leftist or hardline activities”, as per news reports. These minor modifications were introduced by a joint select committee after over 12,300 objections were raised by concerned citizens, civil society organizations, and progressive forces.

But make no mistake – this is merely a sleight of hand to mislead the masses.

Note that there is no clear legal definition of a “leftist” and “hardline” or “Urban Naxal” organization! The government can label any organization and take arbitrary action against them. We’ve already witnessed how pro-people activists and journalists have been branded as “Urban Naxals” and jailed under fabricated charges. Crucially, as per news reports, the bill’s objectives still retain the term “Urban Naxal,” despite the backlash. The ideological stance or activities of any group become irrelevant once branded “left wing,” the state gains unchecked authority to criminalize dissent. One can not fail to notice that the bill that talks of “unlawful” activities, makes no provision to curb the open hooliganism, violence unleashed by the right-wing forces in the state and all over the country!

The bill’s obsessive focus on left-wing groups clearly reveals who the real targets are anyone who speaks out against capitalist exploitation, and fascist policies. As the fascist regime continues to stoke communal tensions ons to distract the public from soaring unemployment, inflation, corruption, poverty, destitution -results of its neoliberal agenda- those who expose these pro-capital policies are now treated as enemies. The fascist forces and the capitalist class behind it, sees every voice of resistance as a threat to their rule and this bill is designed to silence those voices. The fact that this government can name any organization as unlawful, shows its true intent: Protect its true masters, the capitalist class the builders, industrialists, big traders, dealers, commission agents, transporters, rich peasants, contractors, the super rich and so on, and suppress all voices that are raised against low wages, high working hours, unemployment, inflation, privatization, corruption, suppression of civil and democratic rights, insecurity, violence against women, patriarchy, caste system, and so on! No doubt, this will be done selectively, and used as a tool of political terror, as the state would like to preserve its “democratic” facade!

This is a blatant assault on democratic rights and every conscientious citizen must oppose it. The criminalization of dissent must be challenged. The Revolutionary Workers’ Party of India (RWPI) firmly believes that this anti-people bill will further shrink Maharashtra’s already limited democratic space and give the ruling regime unaccountable power to crush any opposition. No matter how they repackage it, we must stand united and reject the bill in its entirety.

We appeal to all the political parties that believe in democratic rights, civil society groups, student-youth-women’s right-civil and democratic right-labour organizations, justice loving citizens, anti-caste organizations, and every individual and organizations against fascism to raise their united voice against this draconian bill, and stand to protect the fundamental right to dissent!