MVA calls off bandh after HC order rules it as unconstitutional

“In the wake of the Badlapur incident, a statewide public shutdown was called for tomorrow…This was an attempt to draw the government's attention to this matter,” Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar posted on social media website X.

By: Express News Service

Mumbai | Updated: August 24, 2024 01:22 PM IST

3 min read

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Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said that the party honours the court but Congress workers will stage protests across Maharashtra from 11 am to 12 noon on Saturday. (Express Archives)

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance which had called for a statewide bandh to protest against the sexual assault on two four-year-old girls in a school in Badlapur, has decided to call if off after the Bombay high court on Friday restrained political parties and individuals from supporting or participating in the bandh.

“In the wake of the Badlapur incident, a statewide public shutdown was called for tomorrow…This was an attempt to draw the government’s attention to this matter,” Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar posted on social media website X.

“However Bombay High Court has ruled that the bandh is unconstitutional. Due to time constraints, it is not possible to appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court order (on bandh). The Indian judiciary is a constitutional body and in respect of the order given, the bandh call should be withdrawn,” he said.

Also Read | Pawar, Sule to participate in silent protest over Badlapur incident

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said that the party honours the court but Congress workers will stage protests across Maharashtra from 11 am to 12 noon on Saturday.

“Honouring the Bombay High Court judgement, all Congress leaders will protest in all Maharashtra district headquarters with black bands on their face from 11 AM to 12 noon,” he said. Patole added that it is against the cases of sexual harassment against women and failure of Maharashtra government.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also expressed disagreement with the ruling but said that the party respects the court. Earlier holding a press conference, Thackeray had appealed to observe the Bandh till 2 PM. Thackeray said, “The Bombay High Court decision disallowing Maharashtra Bandh is not acceptable to us. But we respect the order.” Therefore, we have called off the state bandh”.

“The urgency with which the Court has issued a ruling against bandh is notable. We expect the court to show the same urgency to ensure that those guilty are punished,” he added.

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Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde said that the Bombay High Court’s order was a slap in the face for the Opposition.”It (Badlapur incident) also impacted the happiness we derived from transferring ₹1500 in accounts of beneficiary women under the Laadki Bahin scheme. But, the Opposition has been politicising the incident and maligning this scheme. The high court’s order was a slap across the Opposition’s face,” Shinde said, addressing a crowd in Nashik.

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