The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday (August 21) announced a day-long Maharashtra Bandh on August 24 to protest the Badlapur incident, where two young nursery girls were allegedly sexually abused in a school. The MVA stated that all three parties within the coalition will participate in the bandh – the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP.
Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray called for a swift resolution of the sexual abuse case involving schoolgirls in Badlapur, emphasising the need for prompt justice for the victims. He criticised the state government for its Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin scheme, arguing that it fails to protect girls effectively. Thackeray also accused certain states of politicising crimes against women, insisting that the Badlapur case must be expedited to ensure justice.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a special investigation team led by senior IPS officer Arti Singh. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that action will be taken against the school and claimed the protest was politically motivated to discredit the state government.
‘Badlapur school chose cover-up’
Susieben Shah, Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the alleged sexual abuse of the two kindergarten students constitutes a clear violation under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Upon learning of the incident, Shah said she reached out to the Thane District Child Protection Unit to address the parents’ concerns.
“They (child protection unit) took them to the police to file the complaint. When I asked the school management about the case, they tried to cover it up. I even asked them why POCSO provisions should not be invoked against the school management,” said Shah.
Most schools in Badlapur were closed on Wednesday, as reported by local residents. Badlapur town came to a near standstill on Tuesday when thousands of protesters blocked railway tracks at the station and stormed a local school building. This unrest followed allegations that a school sweeper had sexually abused two girls in the washroom last week. The demonstrators threw stones at police and vandalised the school building in response to the abuse. In order to restore order and clear the tracks for train operations, the police used cane charges to disperse the crowd.
Internet suspended, accused arrested – Top updates
- On Wednesday, a local court extended Akshay Shinde’s police custody until August 26. Shinde, an attendant at the school where the abuse occurred, was presented before a magistrate in Kalyan amid heavy security.
- Shinde, arrested on August 17, is accused of sexually abusing two kindergarten girls in the school’s toilet, according to police reports.
- The protest on Tuesday resulted in injuries to 17 city police personnel and around eight railway cops due to stone-pelting. Police have arrested 72 individuals in connection with the violence.
- Additional police forces have been deployed in Badlapur to restore order, and the situation is slowly returning to normal.
- DCP Sudhakar Pathare announced a suspension of internet services in Badlapur due to the unrest. Services will be restored after a situation review.
- The police have filed three FIRs against protesters for violations including prohibitory orders, armed unlawful assembly, assault, and damage to property.
- A total of 40 individuals have been arrested in connection with stone-pelting and other crimes. Efforts to identify additional offenders are ongoing with the help of CCTV footage and video evidence. GRP Commissioner Ravindra Shisve reported that one FIR has been filed for violence at the Badlapur railway station, with 32 individuals arrested.