Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray lead opposition protest over Badlapur sex abuse
Defying the rain, top leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance staged silent protests across Maharashtra on Saturday, condemning the sexual assault of two girls at a school in Badlapur.
The demonstrations, marked by black flags and ribbons tied to the mouths of protesters, were a powerful expression of outrage against the incident. NCP (SCP) supremo Sharad Pawar led the protest in Pune, stating that the incident had severely damaged Maharashtra’s image nationwide. Pawar accused the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government of neglecting its responsibility to ensure the safety of women.
NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule also participated in the protest and said that they will not stop protesting until the accused are arrested. “Incidents of atrocities against women are increasing in the state…There is no fear of the police among people. I condemn the government. Some said that those who had gathered in Badlapur were from outside. I want to say that they were all Indians. I have never seen such an insensitive government,” she said.
In Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray spearheaded a parallel protest, vowing that the government’s attempts to suppress their voices would not succeed. Senior party leaders Sanjay Raut and Aditya Thackeray flanked the former Chief Minister.
“Even the court stopped our bandh, but it cannot suppress our voice,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray also drew attention to the Shakti Act, which his government had introduced and was currently awaiting presidential approval. “I want to appeal to the President to pay attention to the Shakti Act that has been sent to your office and that law should be implemented in Maharashtra as soon as possible,” he added.
The protests were sparked by the sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls, allegedly by a sweeper, at a school in Badlapur, Thane district. The incident triggered massive protests in the town on Tuesday, with thousands of people blocking roads and railway tracks and clashing with the police.
The MVA had initially called for a ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ today to protest against the crime, but the Bombay High Court restrained political parties or individuals from proceeding with the strike.
Following the court’s ruling, the MVA leaders decided to stage silent protests to press the state government for swift action in the case and for rigorous measures to ensure the safety of women and children in Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s Mahila Morcha held counter-protests against the MVA, accusing the opposition alliance of politicising the Badlapur sexual assault case.
“This is a conspiracy to malign Maharashtra, but the people will not let them do this…The government is in action mode,” said BJP Maharashtra Mahila Morcha chief Chitra Kishor Wagh.