On August 21, 2024, Supriya Sule, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its State Partner (SP), criticized the Maharashtra Government in connection with the Badlapur sexual abuse case. Sule called for the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who oversees the Home portfolio.
Speaking at a protest against the Badlapur incident, Sule accused the Eknath Shinde-led administration of failing to address women’s safety issues adequately. She alleged that the government was more focused on political maneuvering rather than addressing the needs of ordinary citizens.
Protests and Government Response
On August 20, 2024, Badlapur, a town in Thane district, saw massive protests after two kindergarten girls were sexually abused by a school attendant. The protests led to blockages of railway tracks and vandalism of the school. The accused was arrested on August 17.
In response to the protests, the Maharashtra Government suspended three police officials, including a senior inspector, for their handling of the case. An SIT (Special Investigation Team) has been set up to investigate the incident.
Sule’s Criticisms
Sule criticized the delay in the response to the abuse case, stating that if action had been taken promptly by the Education Minister, the protests might have been avoided. She questioned the effectiveness of existing laws and demanded a clarification from Home Minister Fadnavis. Sule highlighted that Fadnavis often spends more time in Delhi than in Mumbai and suggested that, as a matter of moral responsibility, he should resign.
Calls for Stronger Legislation
Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh also weighed in on the issue. He called for the clearance and implementation of the Shakti Bill, which includes provisions for the death penalty in cases of severe atrocities against women and children. Deshmukh explained that the bill, drafted during his tenure and passed by the Maharashtra legislature, is still pending approval from the Central Government.
Deshmukh emphasized that a Shakti Act could provide the necessary legal framework to address cases like the one in Badlapur more effectively. He also called for a thorough investigation into the delays in registering the FIR and suggested that these delays might be linked to possible connections between the school management and a BJP leader.
Additional Developments
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi has urged President Droupadi Murmu to expedite her assent to the Shakti Bills, highlighting the urgency of implementing stronger protective measures for women and children.
The Badlapur sexual abuse case has intensified the political clash between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) bloc, spotlighting the ongoing debate over women's safety and government accountability in Maharashtra.
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