Maharashtra Bandh on August 24: What’s Open and What’s Closed Amid Statewide Strike

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has called for a statewide ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ on August 24, in response to the alleged sexual abuse of two nursery girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane district. The opposition alliance, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP, has united in this protest to demand justice for the victims and to express outrage over the incident.

Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), clarified that the bandh has no political motive but is instead a call to action against the grievous crime that has shaken the community. The bandh is expected to impact daily life across the state as the MVA and other supporting organizations plan widespread participation in the protest.

The protest stems from an incident earlier this week when massive demonstrations broke out in Badlapur. Thousands of people took to the streets and even blocked railway tracks, expressing their anger over the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant at their school. The incident has sparked a wave of public outrage, prompting this significant political response.

What’s Open and What’s Closed on Maharashtra Bandh Day?

Public Transport: Despite the bandh, there has been no official support from the Maharashtra government, meaning that public transport services, including buses and trains, are expected to operate as usual.

Hospitals: There have been no announcements regarding the closure of hospitals or OPDs. Medical services are anticipated to remain fully operational, ensuring that healthcare access is not disrupted.

Schools and Colleges: The state government has not issued any orders for educational institutions to close. Therefore, schools and colleges are expected to remain open, except for those that typically observe a holiday on Saturdays.

Banks: Banks across Maharashtra will be closed on August 24, not due to the bandh, but because it is the fourth Saturday of the month, a scheduled holiday as per RBI regulations.

The bandh is expected to be widely observed across Maharashtra, with the potential for disruptions in certain areas due to the protests. However, essential services like public transport and healthcare are likely to function as usual.