No Maharashtra Bandh: Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, however, take to the streets

On Saturday, to protest against the Badlapur sexual abuse case, the MVA protested across various locations in Maharashtra.

Recently, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Nationalist Congress Party—Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Congress, decided to call for a Maharashtra Bandh on Saturday, August 24. However, the Supreme Court ruled out the Bandh and called it “unconstitutional.” The MVA respected the decision but took to the streets across various locations in Maharashtra to protest the Badlapur sexual abuse case.

No Maharashtra Bandh but protests on the streets.

Even amidst rains in Maharashtra on Saturday, the leaders and workers of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Nationalist Congress Party – Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Congress wore black bands on their foreheads and arms. They protested on streets across various locations in the state, showcasing their rage and protest against the brutal Badlapur sexual abuse case involving two 4-year-old kindergarten school girls.

Uddhav Thackeray joins the protest.

Uddhav Thackeray, former chief minister, and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, also joined the protest outside the Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar. He alleged that the accused in the case is supported by the ruling dispensation, attacking the Eknath Shinde-led state government. He said, “We have organized a Bandh and would have implemented it successfully, but they got afraid and sent their people to the court. We called a Bandh for the security of sisters and daughters. Why has the Bandh been opposed in Maharashtra?” He took a jibe at CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis and called the state government a “shameless government.” Attacking Shinde and Fadnavis, he said that when crime against women is rising, these “Kans Mama” were busy tying Rakhis.

“Atrocities against women are rising.”

Shiv Sena – UBT Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that atrocities against women and girls are increasing in the state, and there had been twelve such incidents in just ten days. She said, “Every day, a new case under the POCSO Act is registered in Thane. We are protesting against it. After Uttar Pradesh, heinous crimes are happening in Maharashtra. Women of Maharashtra are asking about Shakti law.”