West Bengal Must Repeal the Public Safety Bills

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) strongly opposes the West Bengal Public Safety and Anti Social Activities Control Bill and the West Bengal Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The Bills undermine democratic rights, civil liberties and the rule of law by empowering authorities to detain individuals for up to one year without trial, arrest persons on mere suspicion, confiscate property, conduct searches without adequate safeguards, restrict judicial remedies and withhold the immediate disclosure of the grounds for detention or search.

These legislations come amid growing concerns over bulldozer evictions of street vendors, the public parading of accused persons, alleged pushback operations against suspected undocumented migrants and controversies affecting the rights of religious minorities. SDPI believes these laws could be used to suppress dissent, protests and political opposition by creating a climate of fear. The party demands their immediate repeal and calls upon all democratic and human rights forces to unite in peacefully defending constitutional freedoms and civil liberties.

Tayeedul Islam
National Secretary