A wave of outrage swept across Maharashtra as citizens, activists, and leaders from diverse political backgrounds joined forces to condemn the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a Badlapur school. The incident, reported on August 13, involved a 25-year-old school staff member, Rohan Mhatre, accused of assaulting two 5-year-old students.
Defying a court order, protesters, wearing black armbands, gathered at various locations, including Azad Maidan in Mumbai, to demand justice and stricter child safety measures. NCP leader Supriya Sule led a rally in Pune, while Congress’s Nana Patole protested in Nagpur, emphasizing the need for collective action against child abuse.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, who led a protest in Thane, stressed, “This is not a political issue, but a matter of humanity. We will continue to raise our voices until the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The state government, facing mounting pressure, has assured swift action, including a special task force to investigate the case and a proposal for stricter penalties against child abusers. As the protests continue, Maharashtra stands united in its quest for justice and a safer future for its children.