Maharashtra Bandh: Bombay HC issues restrain order; Uddhav Thackeray warns 'we will hit the streets unless…'

The Bombay High Court has restrained all political parties and individuals from calling a ‘Maharashtra bandh’ amid outrage over the Badlapur sexual assault case. A division bench led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya also asked the Maharashtra government to take ‘all necessary steps’ as Opposition leaders reiterated calls for a strike against “perversion”. The development came even as Opposition leaders — including former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray — insisted they would take join the strike on August 24.

“Arrests are still taking place in Badlapur. The cases against the protesters must be withdrawn or else we have to hit the streets,” Thackeray said on Friday.

“There was a need to take strict action against such an act and everybody demanded the same. The state government should remain alert to keep a check on such incidents. The home department should take stringent action wherever required…Maharashtra Bandh has been called for tomorrow. This bandh should be done peacefully. My party will participate in it. I am sure people of Maharashtra will participate in the bandh,” added NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi had called for a shut-down across Maharashtra on Saturday to protest the sexual assault of two kindergarten girls at a Thane school. A massive agitation also rocked Badlapur earlier this week as the incident came to light. Several police officials were injured as thousands hit the streets and spilled onto railway tracks in outrage.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief has repeatedly insisted that the strike was “not political but to protest and curb the perversity”. He also urged the government to focus on the safety of women before talking about other initiatives.

“We will not take the law into our hands. Shopkeepers should also think that they also have daughters, so they should also join our bandh, tomorrow the bandh will be only till 2 o'clock. Some people have gone to court regarding the bandh, it seems they are not concerned about their sisters and family,” Thackeray added.

(With inputs from agencies)