Maharashtra Bandh Over Badlapur Case Paused For Now, But Protests To Continue. Here's The MVA Plan

Thackeray expressed disappointment over the court's ruling, restraining the MVA from holding the Maharashtra 'bandh'. The opposition will now hold peaceful protests at various district headquarters.

Maharashtra: After the Bombay High Court restrained the Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders and workers from proceeding with the Maharashtra 'bandh' scheduled for August 24 or anytime in the future, the opposition has now found an alternative to stage their protest against the Badlapur sexual assault case. 

Now the opposition leaders and workers have decided to hold peaceful demonstrations on Saturday, August 24, by tying black bands around their mouth as a mark of protest against the Mahayuti government over the sexual abuse incident in a school.

In a press conference held on Friday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed his disappointment with the High Court's ruling and said that the court should act with the same urgency at the time of passing judgements in cases of such heinous crimes and atrocities. 

He stated that he could have moved the Supreme Court against the High Court's restrain on 'bandh', but did not do so since it was not the right time.

Announcing the withdrawal of the 'bandh', Thackeray said that all constituent parties of MVA including Congress, NCP-SP, and Shiv Sena (UBT) will protest peacefully with black bands on their mouth. He also questioned the existence of freedom of expression. 

Thackeray said that he will join the protest on August 24 at 11 am in front of Shiv Sena Bhavan with a black band on his mouth.

He said that though the opposition alliance in the state has agreed to call off the 'bandh', it doesn't mean they would never call for it again. The former Maharashtra CM also stated that the MVA does not welcome the court's order but is accepting it out of respect.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said that all MVA leaders and workers will protest against the ruling Mahayuti alliance with black flags and black bands tied around their mouths at different locations in the state.

"Honouring Bombay High Court judgement, all Congress leaders will protest in all Maharashtra district headquarters with black bands on their face/mouth from 11 AM to 12 noon against the cases of sexual harassment against women and failure of Maharashtra govt to prevent that. I will be part of the protest in Thane district," he said.

Mumbai Police Issues Notices To MVA Leaders & Workers Over 'Bandh'

Earlier today, the Mumbai Police had issued notices to leaders and activists of the MVA over the Maharashtra 'bandh' in a bid to avoid any untoward incident from happening in the city.

The notices urged leaders and workers to observe the shutdown peacefully and mentioned that they would be held liable for any damage to public property and disturbance to public peace, an official told PTI.

"Notices have been issued to all active leaders and activists of the MVA and we will take strict action against anyone who violates court orders. Security arrangements are in place across the city to maintain law and order," the official said.

The police official also said that prohibitory orders were already in force between August 18 and September 1 in the city, which prohibits the assembly of five or more persons at one place and ban on holding of processions among others.

The opposition MVA had called for a state-wide shutdown on Saturday to protest against the alleged sexual assault on two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur in Thane district.

(With inputs from Krishnanand Thakur)