Maharashtra Bandh August 24: Who called it and Key Reasons

Maharashtra is preparing for a statewide strike called by the opposition parties following the partial success of the India strike on August 21. The Maharashtra strike is scheduled to take place tomorrow, August 24.

According to the leader of the opposition in the state parliament, the strike was jointly initiated by three opposition alliances and was also supported by other political parties.

Who called for the Maharashtra strike in 2024?

The Maharashtra Strike 2024 was launched by the Maharashtra opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on August 24. MVA allies include the Indian National Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led National Congress Party (SP).

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar issued a statement in the media confirming that all MVA allies will join the strike along with other political parties in the state.

Opposition leaders’ stand on Maharashtra strike

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut explained that the strike was a response to the Bhadrapur incident which had upset many in Maharashtra. A case has been filed against the protesters.

NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad stressed the need for the strike as criminal activities were increasing and said the present government was violating the constitution.

Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat also supported the group and pointed out the seriousness of the Badlapur incident.

Also read: Will India finally conduct its long-overdue census? View details

Main reasons for the Maharashtra strike in 2024

The main reason for the strike in Maharashtra was the opposition’s protest against the sexual abuse of two minor girls in a school.

Check for the main reasons below:

  • Protest against the alleged sexual abuse of two young girls in Maharashtra’s Badlapur district.
  • Emphasize the importance of women’s safety.
  • This prompted the Shinde-led Maharashtra government to take strict action against the culprits.

What happened in Badlapur?

Two kindergarten girls in Bhadrapur, Maharashtra, were allegedly sexually assaulted by a school cleaner. The incident took place last week. However, the police arrested a school cleaner on August 17 for allegedly abusing the girls. The incident has sparked widespread anger and protests in the community.

The Bombay High Court took up the reported attack on its own motion on August 22. Officials informed the court that a comprehensive investigation is underway and assured that the probe will be done thoroughly without any mistakes, ANI reported.

Also read: National Space Day 2024: All you need to know about Chandrayaan-1, 2 and 3