Maharashtra Bandh Announced in Response to Sexual Assault Incident

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has declared a ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ on August 24, 2024, following the recent sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a member of the school staff in Badlapur, Thane district. The bandh aims to demand justice for the victims and advocate for improved safety measures for children in educational institutions.

Last week, the incident, where the young girls were assaulted by a cleaning staff member, led to widespread outrage within the community. The victims were transferred to a hospital for necessary medical treatment, and the accused has since been apprehended by local authorities.

The event has sparked significant public protest, including a large demonstration at Badlapur Railway Station, where protestors clashed with police, resulting in stone pelting. This incident has heighted calls for justice and reform in safety protocols across schools.

As a result, various political parties have rallied in support of the victims and the need for the bandh. The alliance, comprised of Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar‘s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), seeks to unite the citizens of Maharashtra in expressing their dissatisfaction with current governance and the increasing incidence of such crimes.