Indian President Rejects West Bengal's Anti-Goonda Bill, Citing Central Government Objections

President Droupadi Murmu has returned the West Bengal government's Anti-Goonda Bill-2026, rejecting it. The President has sent the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill-2026 back to the Suvendu government for reconsideration. The central government has objected to some provisions of the bill, due to which it did not receive presidential assent. So, what is the Anti-Goonda Bill, why has the central government objected and what will the Suvendu government do next? The West Bengal government introduced this bill in the assembly in June 2026 with the aim of tackling the state's anti-social activities. It proposes to define "anti-social activity" and "goonda" as well as give some special powers to the authorities. According to the bill, if the DM, Commissioner of Police or an officer of the DIG level or above authorized by the state government believes that a person is involved in such activities or is suspected of anti-social activities, the order cannot be returned to the district to which the district belongs.