Mumbai, Aug 21: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has called for a state-wide bandh on August 24 to protest the alleged rape of two kindergarten girls at a Badlapur school in Thane. The opposition party’s move intensifies pressure on the MahaYuti government.
Leaders Demand Action and Accountability
Congress Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut, and Nationalist Congress Party (UBT) leaders issued the call for the shutdown. They urged the public to join the bandh to highlight the “total collapse” of law and order in Maharashtra amid increasing violence against women and young girls.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare demanded a ‘White Paper’ on the state’s law-and-order situation. National Spokesperson Kishore Tiwari called for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s resignation.
Protests and Government Response
On Wednesday, the MVA led protests in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and other areas. Congress leaders, including Varsha Gaikwad and Vijay Wadettiwar, attempted to enter the state government headquarters ‘Mantralaya’. After police intervention, they protested near the Gandhiji statue.
The public in Badlapur staged a massive protest on Tuesday, disrupting the town and local railway station. The demonstration sparked a political clash between the MahaYuti and MVA leaders.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and other senior MahaYuti leaders have promised strict action against the accused, Akshay Shinde, 23, who is a peon at Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha’s nursery school. The alleged incident occurred on August 12-13.
Also Read: Bharat Bandh Today: Why The Shutdown? Impact And Key Details
