What West Bengal's New Public Safety and Anti-Goonda Bill Means and Why It Is Controversial

The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, proposes significant new powers for the state government to prevent organised crime and maintain public order. The legislation allows authorities to issue externment orders, detain individuals for up to a year without trial, expand the definition of "goonda," and grant police wider powers of arrest, search, and seizure. Here's a detailed explainer on what the Bill contains, why it is controversial, and how it compares with the National Security Act.