NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule has opposed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act Bill and alleged that it uses the concept of illegal acts to grant unlimited powers to government agencies. The Lok Sabha MP has questioned the government, asking whether it is necessary to establish a 'police state' in the state by granting unlimited powers to government agencies.
She said that some provisions of the bill will directly attack the sovereignty of the judiciary, and some other provisions will directly attack the rights granted by the constitution, such as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to a fair trial.
“But in the said 'Maharashtra Special Public Safety Act' bill, while clarifying the concept of 'illegal act', it seems that unlimited powers have been given to the government agencies. Through this, the government will get a license to establish 'police raj' and this can be misused against individuals, institutions or organizations who are against the government but express constructive opposition through democratic means,” she posted on X.
Sule further mentioned that the concept of We the people of India' will also be defeated due to this bill. She said that since the administration will be given unlimited powers, any person can be persecuted and harassed simply out of revenge and that criticising the policies and decisions of the government can be considered an illegal act.
"Criticizing the policies and decisions of the government or peacefully protesting or taking out a march for it can be considered an illegal act. The constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights of citizens will be directly violated and this bill does not respect the principles of ideological diversity in this country. Not only this, the government will also get the right to interfere in the judicial process in some places through this bill. This will also attack the sovereignty of the judiciary," Sule added further.
She said that some provisions of the bill will directly attack the sovereignty of judiciary and some other provisions will direct attack the rights granted by the constitution such as freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right to a fair trial.
“The British tried to bring a similar law (Rowlett Act) during their rule. This bill denies the basic principles of the constitution and we strongly condemn it. The government is requested to please review the draft of this bill once again and ensure that constitutional values are not violated through it,” she added.