Maharashtra's Reputation Tarnished: Sharad Pawar Condemns Badlapur Assault Cases
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has strongly criticized the state government over the recent sexual assault cases in Badlapur, Maharashtra, stating that these incidents have severely damaged the state’s reputation across the country. He accused the government of neglecting its duty to ensure the safety of women, highlighting a significant lapse in responsibility.
Participating in a silent protest, Pawar expressed his concern about the government’s apparent indifference. He remarked, “The Badlapur incident has hit the image of Maharashtra in the country,” underlining the severe impact these cases have had on the state’s standing. Pawar’s NCP, part of the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alongside Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), has been vocal in its criticism of the current administration.
Sharad Pawar did not hold back in his condemnation, stating, “There is not a day in Maharashtra when there is no news of atrocities against women … The government should take this incident seriously. The government is saying that the opposition is doing politics, calling it politics shows how insensitive the government is.” His words reflect deep frustration with the state government’s response, or lack thereof, to the rising cases of violence against women.
The catalyst for these protests was the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant at a school in Badlapur, located in the Thane district. This horrifying incident sparked widespread outrage, leading to massive protests in the town. Thousands of people took to the streets, blocking roads and railway tracks, and even clashing with the police in their demand for justice.
In response to these escalating tensions, the MVA had planned a statewide shutdown, or ‘Maharashtra Bandh’, on August 24 to protest against the increasing crimes targeting young girls. However, the Bombay High Court intervened on Friday, issuing an order that prohibited political parties and individuals from proceeding with the bandh. The court expressed concern that such a shutdown would inconvenience the general public and disrupt essential services.
These disturbing cases in Badlapur occurred against the backdrop of ongoing protests over a separate and equally harrowing incident in Kolkata, where a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered inside the seminar room of RG Kar Hospital. The confluence of these events has only intensified the public’s demand for stronger action from the authorities to protect women and children.
The recent sexual assault cases in Badlapur have not only sparked massive protests but have also prompted widespread criticism of the Maharashtra government’s handling of such incidents. As public outrage grows, it is imperative for the government to take swift and decisive action to restore confidence and ensure the safety of women and children across the state. The people of Maharashtra are watching closely, and they demand more than just words—they demand justice.
Join the conversation on social media and demand justice for the victims. Use #JusticeForBadlapurVictims to raise awareness and hold those in power accountable for the safety of women and children. Let’s work together to ensure that such atrocities never happen again.
