Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray announced that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has called for a Maharashtra bandh on August 24 to protest the alleged sexual assault of two young girls at a Badlapur school. Thackeray questioned the meaning of the slogan ‘Mulgi Shikli, Pragati Jhali’ if girls are not safe in schools.
The bandh decision, made by MVA allies including Congress, the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Thackeray, and the NCP (SP) headed by Sharad Pawar, follows a meeting in Mumbai. Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar confirmed that all MVA allies will join the bandh.
On August 17, the police arrested a school attendant in Badlapur for allegedly sexually abusing two kindergarten girls. The abuse reportedly occurred in the school’s toilet.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut noted that the incident has upset many in Maharashtra, leading to FIRs against protesters. He emphasized that the MVA’s bandh on August 24 was a response to the Badlapur incident.
Maharashtra Bandh: What to Expect
- Schools and Colleges: The Maharashtra government has not announced any school closures for August 24. Schools will operate as usual, while other educational institutions that normally close on Saturdays will remain shut.
- Buses and Metros: Despite the opposition’s call for a bandh, the state government has not issued any notifications regarding the closure of buses and metros. They are expected to run as usual in Mumbai and other areas.
- Banks: Banks will be closed on August 24 due to it being the fourth Saturday of the month, according to RBI guidelines. This closure is not related to the Maharashtra bandh.
Bharat Bandh on August 21
A nationwide Bharat Bandh was observed on August 21 by over 20 organizations in response to a Supreme Court ruling. On August 1, the Supreme Court ruled that states can create sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes (SCs) to provide targeted reservations for more socially and educationally disadvantaged castes.