Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), asked on Friday that the cases against people who protested in Badlapur against the alleged sexual assault of two kindergarten girls be dropped. He also warned to take the opposition to the streets if this demand was not met.
Speaking at a press conference, Thackeray claimed that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) had called for a ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ on August 24. He asked people of all castes and religions to take part in the strike, calling it a protest against perversion rather than politics. He asserted that the state’s citizens would observe the bandh.
“Arrests are still taking place in Badlapur,” Thackeray declared, criticising the Eknath Shinde government’s response to the demonstration in Badlapur. We have to take to the streets if the cases against the protestors are not dropped. Thousands of people took to the streets and overflowed onto train lines in Badlapur, Thane district, on Tuesday to express their outrage at the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male school attendant.
During the demonstration, stone-pelting incidents occurred at the railway station and other locations in Badlapur, resulting in the injuries of at least 25 police personnel. 72 people have been taken into custody by police with regard to the disturbance violence.
The accused was arrested on August 17. He’s been placed under police custody till August 26.
According to Thackeray, the bandh should be strictly observed till 2:00 pm in order to maintain the availability of emergency services. He said people are entitled to express their anger not just during elections. He further added that justice is sought in the court of people when all other avenues are closed. The goal of the bandh is to convince the government that the system needs to perform its responsibilities with diligence.
The government has come under fire, according to the former chief minister, even from the Bombay High Court, which has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged sexual assault of the young girls in Badlapur.
During a hearing on the matter on Thursday, the HC said, “Unless there is a strong public outburst, the machinery won’t move.”
(with inputs from PTI)
