In response to the Bombay High Court’s ruling against the planned Maharashtra Bandh, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has swiftly altered its course, choosing instead to stage widespread protests across the state on Saturday. The bandh was initially called to protest the heinous sexual assault of two four-year-old girls at a Badlapur school and the alleged mishandling of the case by the police. However, the court intervened, declaring the bandh unconstitutional and restraining political parties and individuals from participating in a general strike.
Following the court’s verdict, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar urged the MVA to respect the judiciary’s decision and withdraw the bandh. “The bandh was an effort to draw attention to the grave injustice in the Badlapur case within the framework of our constitutional rights,” Pawar stated on social media. Despite expressing disappointment, he emphasized the importance of respecting the court’s ruling.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed their dissatisfaction with the court’s decision but confirmed that the MVA would proceed with protests. Thackeray, visibly displeased, questioned whether the right to protest still exists in India. “The ruling is not acceptable, though we respect the court,” he remarked. “The speed with which the decision was delivered is surprising. We hope the court will act with similar urgency in delivering justice to the victims of the Badlapur case.”
The protests will feature MVA leaders and workers carrying black flags and wearing black ribbons as symbols of mourning and dissent against the increasing crimes against women and girls in Maharashtra. Pawar will join the protests in Pune, while Thackeray will lead a demonstration outside Shiv Sena Bhavan at 11 am on Saturday.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a “slap” on the Opposition. He criticized the MVA for politicizing the Badlapur incident, which he termed a “blot on humanity.” Shinde assured that his government would strictly implement the court’s directive, focusing on delivering justice while condemning the Opposition’s actions.
As the political landscape in Maharashtra heats up, the MVA’s shift from a bandh to state-wide protests underscores their commitment to addressing the issue of rising crimes against women, even as they navigate the legal challenges posed by the judiciary.