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Maha Vikas Aghadi's intense agitation against Maharashtra Public Safety Bill; Accusations of compromising civil rights by calling it a "black law"
The opposition party, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has launched a vigorous agitation across the state, calling the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill passed in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council a "black law". Protests were held in all districts of the state on Wednesday (September 10, 2025). The Maha Vikas Aghadi, led by Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar), has alleged that the bill will curtail civil rights and freedoms. The agitation gained momentum from the Gandhi statue in Nagpur to Gandhi Chowk in Latur and the old Vidhan Bhavan in Pune.
Background and reasons for the agitation
Although the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill has been approved in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, it is still pending for the Governor's signature. While opposing this bill, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has said that this law restricts the freedom of ordinary citizens. In particular, the opposition has claimed that this law will give the police the power to arrest any person without any concrete evidence and keep them in jail for a long time. It is feared that this will lead to repression of ordinary citizens, activists and journalists.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said at a protest in Nagpur, "This law is an attack on democracy. This is an attempt to suppress every voice opposing the government. We will never accept this law." Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized the government, calling the bill a "black law." "The grand alliance government has no respect for democracy. This law is a mace on the fundamental rights of citizens," Raut said at a press conference.
Nature of the protest and participation
Mahavikas Aghadi workers and leaders actively participated in the protest in various cities of the state. In Nagpur, Mahavikas Aghadi workers protested in front of the Gandhi statue, while a large number of citizens and activists gathered at Gandhi Chowk in Latur. In Pune, a protest was held in front of the old Vidhan Bhavan with slogans like "EVM Sarkar Hai Hai" and "Repeal the black law". Apart from this, Mahavikas Aghadi leaders and workers also protested at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
Noted civil rights activist Ulka Mahajan, while supporting the protest, said, "This law will not only be a nuisance to political opponents, but also to common citizens. We will create awareness against this law at every taluka and district level." The Congress has also announced a wider protest against this bill on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
Government's position and response
The Mahayuti government, while supporting this bill, has said that this law is necessary for the security of citizens and law and order. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Naik, while introducing the bill in the Legislative Council, said, "This law is to curb crime and terrorism. This will protect common citizens." The government has denied the opposition's allegations, saying the law will not be misused and will only be used to curb serious crimes.
However, the opposition has questioned the government's claim. Sharad Pawar told a press conference, "This law is an attempt to give the government unlimited power. This will suppress the voices of the common man and the opposition parties." He challenged the government, saying that if the law is so good, why is it not being implemented transparently?
The opposition party, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has launched a vigorous agitation across the state, calling the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill passed in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council a "black law". Protests were held in all districts of the state on Wednesday (September 10, 2025). The Maha Vikas Aghadi, led by Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar), has alleged that the bill will curtail civil rights and freedoms. The agitation gained momentum from the Gandhi statue in Nagpur to Gandhi Chowk in Latur and the old Vidhan Bhavan in Pune.
Background and reasons for the agitation
Although the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill has been approved in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, it is still pending for the Governor's signature. While opposing this bill, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has said that this law restricts the freedom of ordinary citizens. In particular, the opposition has claimed that this law will give the police the power to arrest any person without any concrete evidence and keep them in jail for a long time. It is feared that this will lead to repression of ordinary citizens, activists and journalists.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said at a protest in Nagpur, "This law is an attack on democracy. This is an attempt to suppress every voice opposing the government. We will never accept this law." Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized the government, calling the bill a "black law." "The grand alliance government has no respect for democracy. This law is a mace on the fundamental rights of citizens," Raut said at a press conference.
Nature of the protest and participation
Mahavikas Aghadi workers and leaders actively participated in the protest in various cities of the state. In Nagpur, Mahavikas Aghadi workers protested in front of the Gandhi statue, while a large number of citizens and activists gathered at Gandhi Chowk in Latur. In Pune, a protest was held in front of the old Vidhan Bhavan with slogans like "EVM Sarkar Hai Hai" and "Repeal the black law". Apart from this, Mahavikas Aghadi leaders and workers also protested at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
Noted civil rights activist Ulka Mahajan, while supporting the protest, said, "This law will not only be a nuisance to political opponents, but also to common citizens. We will create awareness against this law at every taluka and district level." The Congress has also announced a wider protest against this bill on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
Government's position and response
The Mahayuti government, while supporting this bill, has said that this law is necessary for the security of citizens and law and order. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Naik, while introducing the bill in the Legislative Council, said, "This law is to curb crime and terrorism. This will protect common citizens." The government has denied the opposition's allegations, saying the law will not be misused and will only be used to curb serious crimes.
However, the opposition has questioned the government's claim. Sharad Pawar told a press conference, "This law is an attempt to give the government unlimited power. This will suppress the voices of the common man and the opposition parties." He challenged the government, saying that if the law is so good, why is it not being implemented transparently?
Background and reasons for the agitation
Although the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill has been approved in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, it is still pending for the Governor's signature. While opposing this bill, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has said that this law restricts the freedom of ordinary citizens. In particular, the opposition has claimed that this law will give the police the power to arrest any person without any concrete evidence and keep them in jail for a long time. It is feared that this will lead to repression of ordinary citizens, activists and journalists.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said at a protest in Nagpur, "This law is an attack on democracy. This is an attempt to suppress every voice opposing the government. We will never accept this law." Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized the government, calling the bill a "black law." "The grand alliance government has no respect for democracy. This law is a mace on the fundamental rights of citizens," Raut said at a press conference.
Nature of the protest and participation
Mahavikas Aghadi workers and leaders actively participated in the protest in various cities of the state. In Nagpur, Mahavikas Aghadi workers protested in front of the Gandhi statue, while a large number of citizens and activists gathered at Gandhi Chowk in Latur. In Pune, a protest was held in front of the old Vidhan Bhavan with slogans like "EVM Sarkar Hai Hai" and "Repeal the black law". Apart from this, Mahavikas Aghadi leaders and workers also protested at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
Noted civil rights activist Ulka Mahajan, while supporting the protest, said, "This law will not only be a nuisance to political opponents, but also to common citizens. We will create awareness against this law at every taluka and district level." The Congress has also announced a wider protest against this bill on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
Government's position and response
The Mahayuti government, while supporting this bill, has said that this law is necessary for the security of citizens and law and order. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Naik, while introducing the bill in the Legislative Council, said, "This law is to curb crime and terrorism. This will protect common citizens." The government has denied the opposition's allegations, saying the law will not be misused and will only be used to curb serious crimes.
However, the opposition has questioned the government's claim. Sharad Pawar told a press conference, "This law is an attempt to give the government unlimited power. This will suppress the voices of the common man and the opposition parties." He challenged the government, saying that if the law is so good, why is it not being implemented transparently?
