Key Provisions

• Bill targets a wide range of actions by suspects including encouraging or preaching disobedience of the law. 
• Allows declaring organizations unlawful and gives power to District Magistrates or police commissioners to grant permission for prosecution.
  • An organization can also be declared as unlawful under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 (UAPA). 
  • However, prosecution under UAPA requires Central or State approval. 

Urban Naxalism

• Naxalism refers to Left-wing extremism or Maoism which seeks to overthrow the State through violent means. 
  • In India, it originated from the 1967 uprising in Naxalbari (West Bengal). 
• There is no standard definition of urban Naxalism. It generally refers to efforts to enlarge the presence of Naxalism in urban areas. 
  • Unlike rural Naxalism, urban Naxalism is not centered around the use of violence against the State. 
    • Urban naxals may act as recruiters, propagandists, and sources of funds for naxals and can provide logistics and safe refuge to armed Naxal cadres. 
  • Also, public support for urban Naxalism is insignificant as compared to rural naxalism.
    • This is primarily because urban areas have better education, infrastructure, and the State’s reach.