Opposition leaders in Maharashtra, united under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, have taken to the streets in protest against a shocking incident of sexual assault of a minor girl at a school in Badlapur. Despite withdrawing their call for a statewide bandh following a Bombay High Court ruling, the leaders have continued their demonstration, opting for a symbolic protest instead.
Leading the charge, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, along with other MVA party leaders and workers, tied black bands around their arms as a display of solidarity with the victim and condemnation of the crime. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut asserted that the protests will continue, even though the bandh has been called off.
Raut explained, “The bandh was called by Maha Vikas Aghadi today to protest against the atrocities on women. While we respect the court’s decision to stop the bandh, we will hold a protest. Today at 11 am, Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena will come together to voice our outrage.” He further added that attempts to silence their voices will not deter their fight for justice.
Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), confirmed that the August 24 bandh has been called off, but the leaders will continue their protest with a symbolic gesture. “We have withdrawn the Maharashtra bandh, but opposition leaders will protest with black bands around their mouths. We disagree with the Bombay High Court’s order on the bandh,” Thackeray stated.
The protests, though scaled down, underline the seriousness of the situation and the widespread anger over the incident. The leaders’ decision to tie black bands around their mouths serves as a powerful visual representation of their commitment to raising awareness and demanding justice for the victim.
