Uddhav Thackeray Slams Bombay HC Bandh Order as MVA Calls Off Maharashtra Shutdown
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has strongly opposed the recent Bombay High Court’s (HC) ruling, saying political parties can no longer call for a bandh following the restraining of such agitation over a sexual abuse case in a school.
Uddhav Thackeray opposes Bombay HC Ruling
An angry Thackeray told a packed press conference on Friday that while he is not satisfied with the HC’s ruling, the MVA has decided to keep its proposed bandh on August 24 in abeyance in view of the court’s directives.
Thackeray has already clarified that even though the MVA is withdrawing the bandh, there will be no break to its agitation against the Mahayuti government. From now on, opposition leaders and workers all across Maharashtra will do a token agitation by tying black bands to their mouths in protest. Former Chief Minister said that he would join the protests.
High Court’s Directive on Bandh
The Bombay High Court issued a restraining order on the proposed Maharashtra bandh earlier in the day. It was apprehensive about the possibility of disruption of normal life. The division bench of the HC, comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, passed the order saying that the bandh was going to involve extensive disturbance to essential services, economic activities, and public amenities as a whole.
HC’s order has said that none of the activities should cripple the day-to-day life including health services and business operations. The court further observed that if political parties and individuals were permitted to go ahead with their plans of bandh, it would cause immense losses and disruption to vital services, which is not desirable.
Reaction of MVA and Future Agitations
The MVA has, however, officially withdrawn the bandh call issued for August 24 following the HC’s order. The MVA — comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP has taken a decision to continue its agitation against the state government. The agitation will be carried out within the framework of the HC order. The protesters will sport black bands to express their displeasure.
Speaking to the media, Thackeray said, “We don’t agree with the High Court order on bandh. But respecting the court’s decision, we are calling off the bandh. Our protest will take a different form, with black bands as a mark of our dissent.”
Why the controversy?
The MVA proposed the bandh in reaction to the sexual abuse case of a few days ago in one of the schools in the state that has been outraging people and galvanizing demands for justice. The opposition coalition aimed at making this an issue using the bandh and pushing the state government to take proper cognizance of it.
However, the order of the HC altered the strategy of the opposition. Though the formal bandh has been called off, by deciding to agitate with black bands, it is clear the MVA will not give up its commitment to raising awareness about the case and keeping the government on tenterhooks.
Rallies in Future
This judgment by the Bombay High Court reflects the stern attitude taken by the judiciary to ensure that public order is maintained and there is minimum disruption to life in view of political protests. In striking down the bandhs, the court was actually balancing the right to protest with the need to see that essential services and daily life are not affected adversely.
How the MVA will now carry on with their agitation and yet stay within the parameters laid down by the court is the challenge. Wearing black bands is a symbolic protest a way of venting their protest without confronting the legal restriction.
Conclusion
On the other hand, the fallout between Uddhav Thackeray and the Bombay High Court’s ruling simply underlined the ongoing tussle between political activism and judicial oversight across Maharashtra. Where the MVA has no choice but to abide by the court’s order and subsequently call off the bandh, they will not back down an inch regarding taking on the sexual abuse case and the government’s accountability. The opposition, much akin to adapting to token forms of protest, shows their unwavering commitment to serious issues and also respecting the legal limits.
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