West Bengal Assembly passes Public Safety Bill, 2026 to curb ‘hooliganism’. CM Suvendu Adhikari called it necessary against ‘goonda-policy’. The opposition called the bill against constitutional rights. There are also preparations to implement UCC in the state.
Kolkata (West Bengal) [भारत]June 30 (ANI): The West Bengal Assembly on Monday passed several important bills, including the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026 and the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Along with this, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also presented a roadmap to implement the Uniform Civil Code.
New law against ‘goondaraj’ in Bengal
The West Bengal Public Safety and Anti-Social Activities Control Bill, 2026, which has some stringent provisions, was passed with 176 votes in favor and 41 votes against. In his remarks during the debate, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the CPI(M). He said the new law is a necessary reaction against “gunda-neeti” (rule by goons) and “jungle raj”.
The Chief Minister said, “The people of Bengal have rejected the past culture of violence through EVMs. This bill has already been implemented in various forms in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka. We saw how the CPI(M) introduced ‘goonda culture’ through ‘Harmad’ to strangle democracy in 2001. Since 2019, we have seen the previous government allow large-scale vandalism of public property. Ignoring particular communities and using them as vote banks.”
Emphasizing a “zero-tolerance” policy, the official announced that the law would go beyond mere imprisonment. He stressed, “It is not just about sending people to jail; we will also confiscate their movable and immovable properties to recover compensation for damage caused to public and private property. It is the responsibility of the government to strictly enforce this law.”
This bill gives unprecedented powers to the administration. District Magistrates and Police Commissioners can now issue detention orders if they feel a person is a threat to public safety. Every offense under this Act is now cognizable and non-bailable.
Opposition said ‘violation of constitutional rights’
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged that this law is completely contrary to constitutional rights. Ghosh said, “Everyone wants the suppression of hooliganism… The police already have all the necessary rules and legal sections. The bill introduced by the Chief Minister is completely contrary to constitutional rights.”
He further alleged that the law was passed due to the government’s numerical strength despite “significant flaws”.
ISF MLA Pirzada Mohammad Navsad Siddiqui also questioned what was the need for a new law when existing criminal laws already existed. He said, “With regard to issues like riots or obstruction, BNS already exists; so, what is the need for a new bill?… People fear that their right to protest will be taken away.”
TMC MLA Prasun Banerjee reiterated these concerns, citing Supreme Court decisions. He warned, “There are several loopholes in this Bill… The Bill allows an authority to arrest someone without assigning any reason, whereas recent Supreme Court judgments clearly say that the grounds must be properly explained… While the objective of the Bill is laudable, we have to ensure that innocent persons are not trapped in it.”
MLA Sabina Yasmin alleged that the primary intention of the bill is to “prevent opposition parties from functioning”.
BJP welcomed the bill
Rebel TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar supported the bill. She said, “It is very important to bring back the rule of law in West Bengal; that is why I fully support this bill.”
Meanwhile, BJP leaders welcomed the law, saying it would help in curbing hooliganism and improving the investment climate in the state. BJP MLA Tarunjyoti Tiwari called it the “need of the hour”, while BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh said the law would make Bengal a “hub of business” by improving law and order. BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari said that this law will curb the influence of mafia elements and increase the confidence of law-abiding citizens.
West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta described the bill as a “historic” step. He said, “These are very important decisions… I hope that they will signal a new change in West Bengal’s effort to move towards a more harmonious, peaceful and purposeful society.”
West Bengal minister Moumita Biswas Mishra also defended the law, saying that strict legal measures were necessary to deal with hooliganism. He said, “This was bound to happen… Therefore, a policy of zero tolerance towards hooliganism, backed by the force of law, was necessary. Now, people will get relief.”
Minister of State Bishal Lama said that the purpose of this law is to restore law and order. “The objective of this law is to restore law and order in the state and ensure that criminals think twice before committing any wrongdoing in the future,” he said.
Preparation to implement Uniform Civil Code
Suvendu Adhikari also announced that the state is moving towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) similar to the framework of Uttarakhand and Gujarat. “A committee has been formed under the leadership of a retired judge. Specific details of the UCC will be shared in the Assembly soon,” the official said.
He said a draft law would be placed before the Cabinet on July 2. The Assembly also passed the OBC Reservation Amendment Bill. (ANI)
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