At a time when the ruling Mahayuti government has been going all out to woo women voters through Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday gave an oath of fighting for women's safety to all those who participated in the silent protest to take on the ruling alliance on the sexual assault of two minor girls in a school in Badlapur in Thane district. Leading the protest from the front condemning the Mahayuti government against the increasing crimes against girls and women in the state, Pawar requested everyone at the protest to take an oath that they will never tolerate any violence and atrocity on women. The protest was also attended by Baramati MP Supriya Sule. "If molestations and atrocities are committed against women in my home, my mohalla, my village or my office, then I will oppose it and raise my voice against it. I will never differentiate between a girl or a boy and will work to ensure a secure and fearless situation for girls in the city, state and country," he said in his oath, which was repeated by protesters present. Earlier in his address, the NCP (SP) chief said that everyone who joined the protest had come together at Babasaheb Ambedkar statue due to the restlessness caused by this Badlapur incident where two 4-year-old girls were sexually in a Badlapur school. He said the incident had spoiled the image of the state across the country. "It is the responsibility of those ruling the state to protect girls and women, but it seems they have forgotten their duties. The Badlapur incident is being comdemned everywhere, but during this time, more such incidents have occured in the state. There isn't a single day when there is no news of crimes against women in the state," he said. Pawar said the state government should take serious note of the incident and sensitise themselves about the same. "I feel sad that the ruling alliance leaders and chief of state are saying that the oppositiom is politicising the incident. The insensitivity of those in power is evident when they term the protest against the molestation of girls as a politicised one. If someone raises their voice on crimes against women, then terming it as 'politicised' indicates the insensitivity of those in power. Their approach towards women is shocking," he said. After the MVA withdrew its call for a Maharashtra bandh call, which the Bombay High Court on Friday termed as unconstitutional, Pawar participated in the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) mute protest against the state government over the increasing crimes against girls and women in the state. Protesters wore black bands over their mouths and some recited the bhajan of Mahatma Gandhi 'Raghupati Raghav Rajaram, Sabko samati de bhagwan'. Local leaders of all the partners of MVA participated in the protest in large numbers.
