CM Suvendu Adhikari says the new West Bengal Public Safety Bill, 2026, will be used against anti-social elements and not be misused. The law, passed by the Assembly, allows for preventive detention and seizure of assets to curb property damage.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said that provisions of the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, would be used against anti-social elements and the law will not be misused.
Bill's Provisions and Purpose
Participating in the debate on the Bill, Adhikari said similar laws were already in force in several states. The bill was later passed by the Assembly.
"This Bill has been introduced in various states under different names. We will not misuse this law. We must ensure that neither public nor private property suffers any damage. It is the government's responsibility to enforce this law strictly; that is why it is necessary," the Chief Minister said.
He slammed the Trinamool Congress, saying it had been rejected by people in the assembly polls. "Before this is implemented, let me point out that the previous government took no action. The people of Bengal have rejected you through EVM. You have managed to form an opposition, but it is not a strong one. This bill has already been introduced in several states under different names; Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand have implemented it," he said.
The Chief Minister said the legislation seeks to plug loopholes in existing laws and ensure accountability for those involved in violence and destruction of property. He said people who destroy public property should be held accountable and he has taken decisions in this direction.
"It is not just about sending people to jail; we will also seize their movable and immovable assets. Previous laws had loopholes, but this one has none. This law applies to goons," he said.
Highlighting a provision of the legislation, Adhikari said preventive detention of up to one year was among its strongest measures to curb anti-social activities.
Adhikari Slams Opposition Over Political Violence
The Chief Minister alleged that the CPI(M) had introduced a culture of political violence in West Bengal and also slammed the Trinamool Congress over incidents of violence in the state.
"We have seen CPI(M) introduce gunda culture in Bengal politics. They introduced 'Harmads' in 2001 to stop others from democratically taking power," he said.
"...Since 2019, we have seen the previous government assuring a specific community of its support. We also witnessed the murders of CPI(M) voters Haragobinda Das and Chandan Das, and the ordeals their families had to endure. People engaged in the vandalism of public and government property," he added.
The Chief Minister also targeted the previous government over issues relating to the NRC, CAA and Waqf protests.
"They provided neither employment nor facilities to Muslims, yet they incited them to take to the streets. Are the NRC and CAA the same thing? Then why did they mobilise people for protests? They organised a rally regarding the Waqf issue and even set fires while opposing it," he alleged.
"If you do not wish to abide by this law, go and protest in a state governed by the INDIA alliance," he added.
Action Initiated Against AJUP MLA
The Chief Minister also aimed at Awam Jan Unnayan Party (AJUP) MLA Humayun Kabir over his recent remarks, saying legal action had already been initiated against him.
"Enough is enough. It is now time to teach people like Humayun Kabir a lesson," Adhikari said.
He informed that cases had been registered against Kabir at Rejinagar and Shaktipur police stations under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alleging that the MLA's statements were politically motivated.
"Humayun Kabir wants his son to contest and win the by-election from his former constituency of Rejinagar. It is with that political objective that he is making such provocative statements," he said.
Responding to the allegations, Kabir denied making any remarks against the Chief Minister. "I have not said anything against the Chief Minister. If the government wants to arrest me, it can do so. I am not afraid," Kabir told reporters later. (ANI)
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