The sexual assault of two young girls in Badlapur has sparked a massive outcry. In response to the escalating situation, the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), announced a Maharashtra-wide shutdown on August 24. Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, stated that all MVA allies would participate in the bandh on that day.
Key Points:
- Protests erupt in Badlapur following the sexual assault of two girls.
- MVA calls for a ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ on August 24.
Mumbai, PTI: The sexual assault of two young girls in a Badlapur school has led to widespread unrest across the state. Anger is palpable among the people, who have taken to the streets in protest. Amidst this, the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) announced on Wednesday that a ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ would take place on August 24.
Participation of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s Party
Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, revealed that the MVA’s allies, including Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), made this decision after a meeting. He added that all MVA allies would be participating in the bandh on August 24. Wadettiwar also mentioned that the meeting included discussions on women’s safety in the state and the overall failures of the BJP-led Mahayuti government.
Varsha Gaikwad Leads Protest
Meanwhile, Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad led a protest outside the state secretariat (Mantralaya) in response to the Badlapur incident. Wadettiwar and other Congress leaders were also present during the protest. Holding placards, Congress leaders and activists demonstrated outside the Mantralaya gate, chanting slogans against the government for the ‘delay in registering the FIR.’ The police prevented the protesters from entering the premises. Both Gaikwad and Wadettiwar criticized the state government for the ‘increasing crimes against women.’
August 17 Incident and FIR Delay
On August 17, the police arrested a school attendant for allegedly sexually assaulting two kindergarten girls in a Badlapur school. An officer stated that according to the complaint, the attendant assaulted the girls in the school’s restroom. Opposition parties claimed that the parents of the victims had to wait for 11 hours at the Badlapur police station before the FIR was registered. In protest of the incident, thousands of demonstrators blocked the railway tracks at Badlapur station and stormed the school building on Tuesday.
