A wave of protests swept across Maharashtra today as opposition parties, civil society organizations, and grassroots groups came together to denounce the recently passed Maharashtra Public Security Bill, branding it a “Public Oppression Bill.” Demonstrations took place in Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Solapur, Palghar, Beed, Hingoli, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia, and several other districts, marking one of the largest coordinated state-wide agitations in recent years.
Pune: Call to resist “state repression”
In Pune, under the leadership of Supriya Sule (MP), National Working President of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), a mass gathering was organized at the Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial near Pune Station. City NCP president Prashant Jagtap called on citizens to resist the law, warning that it empowers the state to directly imprison dissenters and silence public opposition.
Mumbai: Opposition Action Committee leads joint protest
In Mumbai, the Janasuraksha Bill Opposition Action Committee led a protest at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan, Dadar, from 4–8 pm. The meeting was chaired by Com. Prakash Reddy (CPI) and attended by leaders across the political spectrum:
- Congress – Dhananjay Shinde
- NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) – Rupesh Khandke
- CPI(M) – Com. Shailendra Kamble
- CPI – Com. S.K. Rege, Amir Kazi, Com. Nana Parab
- Peasants and Workers Party – Com. Rajendra Korde
- Hum Bharat Ke Log – Feroze Mithiborwala
- CPI(ML) – Com. Vijay Kulkarni
- APCR – Shakir Shaikh, Adv. Inamdar
A message of solidarity was also sent by MLA Sachin Ahir (Shiv Sena–UBT). Multiple people’s organisations pledged participation.
Loh and Rural Maharashtra: Constitution and democracy defended
In Loh, a demonstration began with floral tributes at the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, followed by slogans:
- “Long Live the Constitution”
- “Repeal the Anti-People Public Security Act”
- “Down with the Fadnavis-Shinde-Ajit Pawar Government”
Leaders including Com. Rameshwar Pawal (CPI-M), Milind Sawant (Congress), Rameshwar Bahirat (Shiv Sena–UBT), and Bhai U.R. Thombal (Shetkari Kamgar Paksha) condemned the Act as an assault on democratic rights. Protesters reminded that 10 lakh signatures and over 1.24 lakh written objections were submitted to the Governor, but the government still “bulldozed” the Bill through the Assembly.
Other District Actions
- Kolhapur: Maha Vikas Aghadi held a sit-in at the Collector’s office, led by Congress’s Harshvardhan Sapkal and district leaders; a memorandum was submitted.
महाराष्ट्र प्रदेश काँग्रेस कमिटीच्या आदेशानुसार व प्रदेशाध्यक्ष हर्षवर्धन सपकाळ साहेबांच्या नेतृत्वात महाराष्ट्र जनसुरक्षा विधेयका विरोधात राज्यव्यापी आंदोलन करण्यात आले.
कोल्हापूर जिल्हा काँग्रेस कमिटी व महाविकास आघाडीच्या वतीने जिल्हाधिकारी कार्यालय,कोल्हापूर येथे ठिय्या आंदोलन… pic.twitter.com/q2wPjfi8cL— Maharashtra Congress (@INCMaharashtra) September 10, 2025
- Solapur: Protesters burnt an effigy of the Act in a symbolic rejection.
- Manchar: A large gathering under MVA banner denounced the Act.
- Palghar district: Demonstrations were staged at Dahanu, Palghar, Vasai, Wada, Vikramgad, Jawhar, and Mokhada.
- Beed, Shevgaon (Ahmednagar), Hingoli, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia: District-level agitations with party workers and civil society activists submitting memoranda.
Opposition’s Stand
Across locations, speakers reiterated that the MSPS Act violates Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution, criminalises dissent, and grants unchecked powers to the state. They demanded its immediate repeal, warning that Maharashtra risks becoming a “police state.”
Slogan on everyone’s lips was: Not Public Security, but Public Oppression Bill!”
Related:
Azad Maidan erupts in protest as Maharashtra set to enact sweeping law aimed at silencing dissent
From Sindhudurg to Mumbai, Maharashtra erupts in protest against repressive public safety bill