The Maharashtra Congress has announced that opposition leaders and workers will hold peaceful demonstrations on Saturday, August 24th, to protest against the Mahayuti government over a sexual abuse incident at a school in Badlapur, Thane district. The demonstration will take the form of silent protests, with participants tying black bands around their mouths and carrying black flags. This decision comes after the Bombay High Court restrained political parties and individuals from proceeding with a state-wide bandh scheduled for the same day.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), had initially called for the bandh to express their outrage over the alleged sexual assault of two kindergarten girls at the school. However, the High Court, in its ruling, stated that the Maharashtra government should take necessary steps to prevent the bandh.
Despite the court’s order, the opposition parties, led by Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole, have decided to proceed with their protest. Patole clarified that the decision to hold silent protests was made after consulting with NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. They will conduct the demonstrations between 11 am and noon at different locations across the state.
The silent protest is intended to convey the opposition’s condemnation of the incident and their dissatisfaction with the government’s response. By tying black bands around their mouths, participants will symbolize their inability to speak out against the injustice due to the court’s order against the bandh. This silent protest serves as a powerful visual representation of their dissent while respecting the court’s decision.
