Uddhav Thackeray Disagrees With Court, MVA Cancels Maharashtra Bandh

: Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), has voiced his disagreement with a recent Bombay High Court ruling that prohibits political parties from organizing a bandh. Despite this, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes Thackeray's party, has decided to cancel its planned shutdown in Maharashtra scheduled for August 24. This decision follows the court's order in response to a sexual abuse case involving two kindergarten girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district. During a press conference, Thackeray confirmed that while the bandh has been called off, opposition leaders and supporters will still demonstrate against the ruling Mahayuti government by wearing black bands over their mouths as a form of silent protest. Thackeray himself plans to participate in these protests, emphasizing the coalition's commitment to raising awareness about the issue despite the legal restrictions. The Bombay High Court, in its ruling, highlighted the potential disruption a bandh could cause to daily life, warning of significant economic losses and impacts on essential services, including healthcare. The court's division bench, led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya, stated that such protests could lead to chaos and must be prevented to maintain public order. The MVA coalition, which consists of Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress party, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, had initially called for the statewide shutdown to draw attention to the serious allegations of sexual assault, underscoring the urgency of addressing such critical social issues.