India, April 3 -- The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at curbing 'urban naxalism' and 'anarchist activities', received more than 10,000 objections and suggestions by the April 1 deadline. Civil liberties groups have written to the state legislature, raising concerns over the sweeping powers conferred by the bill on the state machinery. They fear the state could exploit the loosely worded bill to silence dissent from human rights activists and political opponents.

Currently under the deliberation of a joint select committee, the bill has been called "anti-democracy" and a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. Apart from sending thousands of e-mails and letters to the state legislatur...