Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 29 : The West Bengal assembly on Monday passed the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, with 176 members voting in its favour and 41 against it.
Speaking on the bills, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari accused both the Trinamool Congress and CPI-M of political violence.
He said similar bills have been introduced in other states. "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.
"We witnessed how the CPIM introduced 'goonda culture' into Bengal's politics. In 2001, they deployed 'Harmads' specifically to prevent others from gaining power through democratic means," he added.
Adhikari assured that the government will not misuse the laws and will ensure that no damage is caused to public and government property.
He accused the Trinamool Congress of using the Muslim community as a vote bank. "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. We will not misuse this law. We must ensure that no damage is caused to public or private property. It is the government's responsibility to enforce this law strictly; that is why it is essential. Since becoming Chief Minister, I have ensured that compensation is recovered. It is not merely about sending people to jail; we will also confiscate their movable and immovable assets," Adhikari said.
"The Naoda MLA (Humayun Kabir) raised communal issues before the assembly elections, and now he has started doing so again. They provided neither jobs nor amenities to Muslims, yet incited them to take to the streets. Are the NRC and the CAA the same thing? Then why did they mobilise people for protests? They organised a rally over the Waqf issue, which led to arson. If you do not wish to abide by this law, go and protest in a state governed by the INDIA alliance," he added.
The Bill aims to ensure public safety, maintain law and order, and establish stronger control over organised anti-social activities.
According to the Bill, action may be taken against any individual or group whose activities create fear, panic, or a sense of insecurity among the public, disturb public order, threaten life and property, or obstruct lawful trade, business, and professional activities. Illegal mining, unauthorised sand extraction, and unlawful activities involving forest resources or wildlife have also been brought under the definition of anti-social activities.
One of the most debated provisions of the Bill is preventive detention. If the State Government or an authorised officer believes that a person's activities may pose a threat to public safety, a detention order may be issued against that person. District Magistrates and Police Commissioners will also have the authority to issue such orders under specified circumstances.
Officials said that the bill provides that notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every offence punishable under this Act and every wilful contravention of any lawful order made under this Act shall be cognizable and non-bailable.
According to the bill, a detained person must be informed of the grounds for detention within a stipulated period and must be given an opportunity to make a representation or present his or her case. However, the authorities will have the power to withhold information considered necessary to protect the public interest.
If a person absconds to evade a detention order, special measures may be taken against him or her. The administration may issue proclamations through the courts, take action concerning the person's property, and direct the individual to appear before the authorities.
The law will also empower authorities to search, seize, and confiscate property, documents, and other materials connected with anti-social activities. The State Government or authorised officers may issue directions regarding the custody, release, or disposal of seized property.
In the objects and reasons of the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, the government stated that it felt the need for a new legal framework after observing that existing provisions were insufficient to deal with organised anti-social elements.
The government said that it has been observed that certain sections of society are engaging in anti-social activities, posing a serious threat to the lives and property of the bonafide citizens of the state. The extant provisions of the prevailing Acts and rules were found to be ineffective and inadequate to combat these types of nefarious activities, it added.
The primary objective of the new legislation is to provide the state with more teeth to curb criminal activities and disrupt the planning of such crimes.
With an objective to curb these activities, to severely punish the anti-social elements, and to prevent their conspirational designs, it is considered necessary to bring in some provisions in the form of a new Bill, the government said.
The Chief Minister earlier stated that the Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in the state, mirroring the frameworks adopted in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Assam.
Speaking to the media, Adhikari noted that a committee has been constituted under the leadership of a retired judge, and the specific details of the UCC would be shared in the Assembly.