Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has called for a Maharashtra Bandh on Saturday, urging people across castes and religions to participate in the shutdown, which he claims is not political but a protest against “perversion.” The bandh is in response to the alleged sexual abuse of two girls at a school in Badlapur, which has sparked widespread outrage in the state. Thackeray has demanded that all charges against those who protested the incident be withdrawn, warning that the opposition would take to the streets if this is not done.
The incident, which occurred on August 17, led to the arrest of a school attendant accused of abusing the two girls. The protests that followed turned violent, with at least 25 police personnel injured in stone-pelting incidents at the Badlapur railway station and other areas. Police have arrested 72 people in connection with the violence.
Thackeray criticized the ruling Eknath Shinde government for its handling of the protests, stating that arrests are still ongoing in Badlapur. He emphasized the need for the charges against the protesters to be dropped, reiterating that the bandh is being observed on behalf of the people of Maharashtra.
In response to the incident, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) registered an FIR against the school authorities for failing to comply with the provisions of Section 19 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. The section mandates that any authority aware of sexual assault against minors must report it to the police. The school’s failure to do so led to the FIR being filed under Section 21 of the POCSO Act, which deals with punishment for non-compliance.
Additionally, the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has recommended the establishment of special branches or “mini-police stations” for women and children in every police station across the state to prevent similar incidents.