Sharad Pawar has called off the Maharashtra Bandh following a ruling by the Bombay High Court.

Introduction

On Friday, Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), announced the cancellation of a planned statewide bandh in Maharashtra scheduled for the following day. This decision followed a critical intervention by the Bombay High Court, which had issued a restraining order against the bandh. 

Context of the Bandh Call

The bandh was initially called by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the NCP, as a reaction to a disturbing incident in Badlapur. Two four-year-old girls had been sexually assaulted in a local school, sparking outrage and calls for justice. The MVA, aiming to pressure the Maharashtra government into taking immediate and effective action, proposed a statewide public shutdown to draw attention to the issue and demand a response.

Court’s Intervention

On Friday, the Bombay High Court intervened decisively. A division bench, led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, issued an injunction against all political parties and individuals from supporting or participating in the bandh. The court directed the Maharashtra government to take all necessary steps to prevent the bandh from taking place, citing concerns over public order and the potential disruption caused by the shutdown.

Pawar’s Statement and Decision

In response to the court’s ruling, Pawar took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce the withdrawal of the bandh. He explained that the bandh was initially intended as a means to focus governmental attention on the serious incident in Badlapur. Despite the serious nature of the issue, Pawar acknowledged the court’s decision and conceded that the bandh was ruled unconstitutional. He noted that appealing the High Court’s decision to the Supreme Court within the limited time frame was not practical. Demonstrating respect for the judicial system, Pawar confirmed that the bandh call would be rescinded in accordance with the court’s ruling.

Congress Party’s Response

In alignment with the legal directive and following Pawar’s announcement, the Congress party also withdrew its support for the bandh. State Congress chief Nana Patole communicated that, rather than participating in the bandh, the party would conduct protests across Maharashtra on Saturday between 11 AM and 12 noon. These protests would be held in various district headquarters, where Congress leaders and activists would wear black bands on their faces or mouths to symbolically protest against sexual harassment and the government’s alleged failure to address such issues. Patole highlighted that the protests would honor the High Court’s judgment while still conveying the party’s discontent with the handling of sexual harassment cases.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/02/22/1600×900/NCP-chief-Sharad-Pawar-was-asked-about-Devendra-Fa_1677066897905.jpg

Shiv Sena (UBT) Reaction

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed his disagreement with the court’s ruling but emphasized that his party respects the judicial decision. Thackeray’s response indicated a degree of discord within the opposition ranks regarding the court’s intervention. Despite their differences, the Shiv Sena (UBT) acknowledged the authority of the court and indicated a commitment to uphold the legal framework.

Government’s Stance

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde characterized the Bombay High Court’s ruling as a significant blow to the opposition’s efforts. Describing the court’s order as a “slap” to the opposition, Shinde underscored the government’s intent to comply fully with the directive. Speaking at an event in Nashik to launch the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme, Shinde addressed the Badlapur incident, labeling it a “blot on humanity.” He criticized the opposition for attempting to politicize the tragedy and undermine the positive aspects of the government’s welfare initiatives. Shinde asserted that the court’s decision was a rebuke to the opposition’s attempts to exploit the situation for political gain.

Conclusion

The withdrawal of the Maharashtra bandh highlights the significant role of the judiciary in maintaining public order and ensuring that political actions remain within constitutional boundaries. The responses from various political entities reflect a complex interplay between legal mandates and political strategies. The Bombay High Court’s intervention demonstrates the judiciary’s capacity to influence political decisions and maintain public peace, while the subsequent adjustments by the opposition and government reveal the dynamic nature of political and legal interactions in addressing pressing social issues.