Amidst heavy rains, leaders and workers of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition comprising the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Congress staged protests across Maharashtra on Saturday in response to the shocking Badlapur incident, where two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted.
Former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray led the charge outside the Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar, condemning the Eknath Shinde-led state government for allegedly shielding the accused. Thackeray criticized the ruling dispensation, claiming, “We organized a bandh for the safety of our sisters and daughters, but it was opposed. Why is the government so afraid of our protests?”
Thackeray further lambasted the state government, describing it as the most “shameless” administration Maharashtra has ever seen. He took a jibe at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, accusing them of neglecting rising crimes against women while engaging in symbolic gestures like tying Rakhis.
Shiv Sena-UBT Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi highlighted the alarming increase in crimes against women, stating, “In just 10 days, there have been 12 such incidents. Every day, a new case under the POCSO Act is registered in Thane. Women in Maharashtra are demanding action under the Shakti law.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut defended the call for the bandh, asserting that it was a constitutional right to protest against atrocities. Despite the bandh being called off following a court order, Raut assured that leaders from the three opposition parties would continue to take to the streets to demand justice for the victims of the Badlapur incident.
On the other side, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members organized their protests across the state, demanding a speedy trial and the harshest punishment for the accused in the Badlapur case. BJP leader and state housing minister Atul Save stated, “We will not tolerate atrocities against women,” and called for the case to be tried in a fast-track court.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar expressed disappointment with the court’s decision to prohibit the Maharashtra bandh but emphasized that the opposition would continue to raise its voice against the rising crimes against women in the state.
Details of the Badlapur Incident Emerge
The horrific incident came to light when one of the victims, a 4-year-old girl, began having trouble walking and hesitated to use the washroom. Initially, her family suspected a urinary tract infection, but further investigation revealed the true extent of the abuse.
A close relative of the victim shared that the child was reluctant to go to school, raising concerns among the family. The situation became clearer when the parents of the other victim reported similar behavior in their daughter. Both girls were subjected to medical tests, which confirmed the sexual assault.
The incident occurred on August 13 inside the school’s toilet, and the parents lodged a complaint on August 16. The police have since arrested Akshay Shinde, a 23-year-old member of the school’s cleaning staff, in connection with the abuse.
The Badlapur case has ignited widespread outrage, with citizens and political leaders demanding swift justice and stronger measures to protect women and children in Maharashtra.
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