MVA Calls for Maharashtra Bandh on August 24 Over Badlapur Incident

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has declared a statewide 'Maharashtra Bandh' for August 24 to protest the alleged sexual assault of two young girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district. This decision was made during a meeting on Wednesday that also discussed strategies for seat-sharing in the upcoming assembly elections.

Statements from Leaders

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated that the people of Maharashtra are very upset, and noted that FIRs have been filed against protesters. He emphasized that the bandh is a response to the Badlapur incident.

NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad criticized the current government, calling it unconstitutional and citing a rise in criminal activities as a reason for the bandh.

Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat added that the bandh is necessary due to the severity of the Badlapur case.

Impact on Daily Life

Schools and Colleges

The government has not announced any closures for August 24, so schools and colleges will operate as usual, except for those that are normally closed on Saturdays.

Public Transport

Although opposition parties are calling for the bandh, the Maharashtra government has not supported it. As a result, buses and metros are anticipated to operate normally.

Banks across the country will be closed on August 24 because it falls on the fourth Saturday of the month. Per RBI regulations, banks are shut on the second and fourth Saturdays, as well as on Sundays, national holidays, and regional holidays.

Background of the Incident

The incident in Badlapur has led to significant outrage. On August 17, an attendant was arrested by the police for allegedly assaulting two minor girls. A major protest followed at Badlapur Railway Station, where demonstrators threw stones at the police. In response, Maharashtra Police arrested over 40 people and filed an FIR against 300 individuals for stone-pelting, disrupting train services, and other offenses.

Also read: Delhi AIIMS: Doctors called off the strike after request, SC said back to work.

National Context

In related news, 21 organizations nationwide called for a Bharat Bandh in response to a Supreme Court ruling on August 1. The ruling determined that states could create sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes (SCs) to provide targeted reservations for the disadvantaged.