Uddhav Thackeray announces Maharashtra bandh to stage protest against Badlapur incident

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has called for a Maharashtra bandh on Saturday to stage a protest against the Badlapur incident. He further stated that the bandh is against the atrocities committed against women and there is no political motive behind it.

"Many people have started to feel that girls are not safe in schools. All citizens will take part in tomorrow's bandh, not just Mahavikas Aghadi. The bandh will continue till 2 pm. Bus and train services should also be shut during tomorrow's bandh. You may belong to any religion or caste, but make this bandh successful for the protection of your daughters and sisters," the former CM said.

Launching an attack against the Maharashtra government, he pointed out, "What is happening with the girls? All this is going on, what is the government doing? We are not against the Ladli Behan Yojana. We want the government to first focus on the safety of women. After this, talk about all these schemes. We will not take the law into our hands. Shopkeepers should also think that they also have daughters, so they should also join our bandh, tomorrow the bandh will be only till 2 o'clock. Some people have gone to court regarding the bandh, it seems they are not concerned about their sisters and family."

"If the police had properly taken action, we would not have to do this. Yesterday the court also reprimanded. People have the right to question the government. When the way is closed for the people, the court is the only way left," Uddhav added.

Earlier, in a post on X, Uddhav Thackeray wrote, "Maha Vikas Aghadi has announced Maharashtra Bandh on August 24 to protest against the Badlapur incident. This bandh is not political but to protest and curb the perversity."

Meanwhile, the special investigation team (SIT) for Badlapur sexual assault against minors has registered an FIR against the school authorities, for not complying with the provisions of section 19 of the POCSO Act which mandates that every authority when they come to know about any such kind of sexual assault against minors are obligated to report this to police authorities for further action, said SIT.