India, June 13 -- The special panel set up to deliberate on the controversial Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, has decided to dilute some of the provisions - but is it enough?

The decision to amend the objective of the bill and a few of its provisions was taken by a joint select committee after more than 12,300 objections were raised by civil society groups and social organisations to the draft legislation, which aims at curbing "urban Naxal" activities.

Giving the state sweeping powers to clamp down on Naxal or leftist activities, the bill has been opposed by civil society as repressive and anti-people. Its opponents claim it could be misused by the state to silence dissent and target entities critical of the government ...