On October 6, 2021, the MahaVikasAghari (MVA) Cabinet of Maharashtra passed a resolution expressing the sorrow over the farmers killed in Lakhimpur and paid tribute to them. They had announced the Maharashtra Bandh on October 11, 2021.
Shiv Sena-led ruling alliance today called for Maharashtra bandh on October 11 to protest against the death of farmers in the Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh) violence. Senior NCP leader and State Minister Jayant Patil informed the press that the cabinet decided about the one-day strike in the state to denounce the death of farmers in Lakhimpur. The essential services like hospital ambulances, milk services, etc will be exempted from the bandh.
Meanwhile, former State Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said that the Maharashtra government should be more worried about the farmers in Maharashtra dying due to the government’s apathy, while the government is busy politicizing the Uttar Pradesh violence.
In support of the bandh
- Many trade organizations in Pune have extended their support to the bandh called by MVA.
- Rohan Ursal, the secretary of Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Adate Association announced that in solidarity with farmers, about 2,000 traders who deal in fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, etc will support the bandh.
- Fattechand Ranka, the president of The Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FTAP) said that all the shops, except those, which deal in the essential items, will remain closed until 3:00 PM on Monday.
- The Rickshaw Panchayat functionary Nitin Pawar said that the rickshaw unions have decided to not move their vehicles during the duration of the shutdown on Monday. Their organization with several other transport groups will support the bandh.
Many big names have extended their support to the bandh as well.
In solidarity with our #Farmers #MaharashtraBandh #महाराष्ट्रबंद pic.twitter.com/LHugUZUJ0T
— Vidya Chavan (@Vidyaspeaks) October 11, 2021
In solidarity with our #Farmers ✊#MaharashtraBandh #महाराष्ट्रबंद pic.twitter.com/za0HIKFJ8H
— Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) October 11, 2021
Measures that were taken by the government due to bandh
Mumbai Police has deployed as the maximum workforce as they can on the streets of Mumbai on Monday to prevent any sudden incident during the Maharashtra bandh. Three companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), 400 men from the Local Arms units, and 500 Home Guard personnel are deployed as the additional workers for the security in the ongoing Navratri festival.
BJP MLA’s warning
If shopkeepers r “forced” to close shops Tom by any of the MVA karyakartas.. they will have to face bjp karyakartas!
— nitesh rane (@NiteshNRane) October 10, 2021
Police shud ensure no one is forced or else there will be a law n order situation which is not our responsibility!! @BJP4Maharashtra
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane has already warned the state government to not shut the shops forcefully. He took this to Twitter on Sunday and said that if the shops will be closed forcefully by the MVA karyakartas then they have to face the BJP workers.
