'We respect court's decision', says Uddhav Thackeray after Maharashtra Bandh called off

In view of a Bombay High Court ruling, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Friday called off the 'Maharashtra Bandh' which was scheduled for August 24. His statement came hours after the Bombay High Court ruling, which restrained political parties or even individuals from calling for a Maharashtra Bandh. "The court should now show the same urgency in punishing the guilty of Badlapur incident. We do not accept the court's decision, but we respect it. This is not the time to approach the Supreme Court," Thackeray said in a press conference. 

The Opposition group Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising



Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), had called for a Maharashtra Bandh to protest against the Badlapur incident. Earlier, Thackeray had stated that the Bandh was against the atrocities committed against women and there was no political motive behind it.

Thackeray further stated, "Do people not have the right to express their emotions? Legal experts can weigh in on this. I never intended the bandh to involve violence or stone-pelting. I did not say that." The former Chief Minister also announced that he will personally sit with a black band on his face at 11 AM on Saturday in front of the Shiv Sena Bhavan.