Uddhav Thackeray invokes Shakti bill amid protests over Badlapur sexual assault, calls for strict action

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 20 : Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray invoked the Shakti bill after hundreds of protesters blocked trains at the Badlapur Railway station, demonstrating against the alleged sexual assault of two young girls at a school in the state's Badlapur district and said that strict action should be taken against those accused.
Former Chief Minister of the state, Thackeray, said that the incident at Badlapur school should not happen 'anywhere in the country.'
Uddhav Thackeray further remarked that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was about to pass the 'Shakti Bill' but his government was 'toppled' by the current chief minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde.
"Not only in Badlapur, such incidents should not happen anywhere in the country. We were going to pass the Shakti Bill but our government was toppled. It is the responsibility of those who toppled our government and are now in power to pass the Shakti Bill and take stringent action," Thackeray said.
"I have come to know that the school in which this incident took place belongs to the people of the BJP. But I do not want to do politics in this matter, so whoever is guilty, whether he is a BJP worker or someone else, strict action should be taken against him," he stated.
A massive protest was held at Badlapur Railway Station on Tuesday against the alleged sexual assault incident involving two minor girls at a school in Thane district.
Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said one accused has been arrested in connection with the incident and assured that maximum punishment would be meted out to him.
The alleged sexual assault of two minor girls in Badlapur has sparked widespread outrage.
On Tuesday, angry residents, demanding justice, began pelting stones at the school, and the situation escalated, prompting police intervention. The authorities used tear gas and other measures to control the crowd and restore order.
The protesters, wearing black clothes, targeted the school in their demonstration. As the chaos subsided, the police were able to apprehend the individuals responsible for the stone-throwing.
The suspects were taken into custody and are being held at the local police station.
The police are continuing their investigation into the assault case and are working to maintain peace in the community.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered a high-level probe into the incident and said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to investigate the case and that those found guilty would face strict action.
"I have taken serious cognizance of the incident in Badlapur. An SIT has already been formed in this matter and we are also going to take action against the school where the incident took place. We are in the process of fast-track this case, and no one will be spared if found guilty," CM Eknath Shinde said while speaking to ANI on Tuesday.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered the formation of an SIT headed by Inspector General of Police-level senior IPS officer Arti Singh to investigate the incident.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed that the entire state was outraged by the incident.
"Two young girls were sexually assaulted in Badlapur, Maharashtra, on the school premises. The entire state is outraged and seeks justice. I once again urge the Rashtrapati Bhavan to approve the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, no other child or woman faces this travesty. Shame on the state government for continuing to ignore the safety of women," Chaturvedi said.
She further criticized societal attitudes, saying, "The incident is on school premises. Sick perverts in our society want women to dress in a 'decent way', to step out during 'safe hours' and work in' safe zones', and take charge of their 'own safety'. What would you say to this?" Chaturvedi said.
Residents in Badlapur also demonstrated protests against the sexual abuse of two minor girls, which occurred last week.
As per reports, the parents learnt about the incident on August 18 and filed an FIR.