Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Act, 2024

The MahaYuti government, which was run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Act on July 11, 2024. This law was meant to stop the spread of Naxalism in cities. The “urban naxal” law is the name given to this suggested law that has caused a lot of debate.

Purpose of the Bill

The government says that Naxal-related actions are becoming more common in cities. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis talks about the role of frontal organizations that help Maoist forces with logistics. The law is meant to give the government the tools it needs to properly control these activities.

Comparison with Existing Laws

The MSPS Act is like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), but it suggests different ways to keep an eye on things. Instead of the UAPA’s tribunal method, names of illegal groups will be confirmed by an advisory board. In this case, the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) is also important.

Key Provisions of the MSPS Act

The Act gives the government the right to declare any group illegal and lists four main crimes:

1. Being a part of an illegal group.
2. Raising money for or hiding members of a group that does illegal things.
3. Organizing or promoting groups or events that are illegal.
4. Taking part in or planning to do illegal things. Fines and prison terms that run from two to seven years are possible.

Legislative Status

The Bill has been brought up in the Lower House, but the Assembly’s term is ending. Its future is unclear, especially since elections are coming up soon. The Bill is no longer valid since the summer session was over.

Opposition Response

Leaders of the opposition, such as former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, have called the Bill harsh and pointless, saying that current laws are enough to control Naxal activities. Chavan says that the government is trying to silence criticism, which means that if the government changes, the Bill could be thrown out.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2024

Category: Legal & Constitution Current Affairs