“We are restraining any political party or individual from proceeding with call for bandh. We will also direct the State to take all steps in terms of B G Deshmukh judgment,” said Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya.
The order comes just days after the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) had announced plans for a statewide bandh on August 24 to protest against an incident of rape of two minors in Badlapur.
‘Protest against perversion’
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had demanded the withdrawal of cases against those who protested in Badlapur over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls, warning that the opposition would take to the streets if this demand is not met.
Speaking to the media, Thackeray emphasized that the August 24 ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ called by the opposition bloc is aimed at protesting against “perversion” and urging people from all communities to join in.
Thackeray said the bandh would represent the voices of the state’s citizens. He criticised the Eknath Shinde government’s handling of the Badlapur protest, stating, “Arrests are still taking place in Badlapur. The cases against the protesters must be withdrawn or else we have to hit the streets.”
Badlapur protest
A significant protest had erupted in Badlapur town in Thane district on August 20 after thousands demonstrated and blocked railway tracks against the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant at a local school. The protest led to the injury of at least 25 police personnel due to stone-pelting at the railway station and other areas in Badlapur.
Police have arrested 72 individuals related to the violence during the protest. The accused, arrested on August 17, remains in police custody until August 26.
In response to the bandh call, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had emphasised the government’s commitment to maintaining normalcy and functionality. He also accused the opposition of politicising the tragedy and asserted that the government would take necessary actions against the accused in the Badlapur case.