‘Who Will Protect Our Children?’: Uddhav Sena Slams MahaYuti Govt After Badlapur School Horror

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) has launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led MahaYuti government following the shocking sexual abuse of a four-year-old girl by a school bus driver in Badlapur near Mumbai. The party called the incident a complete collapse of the system meant to protect children and questioned the priorities of the state leadership.

In a strongly worded editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena said the incident exposed serious failures at multiple levels — from the school management to the state administration. The editorial criticised the government for claiming to focus on development and investment while basic safety, especially for children, continues to be ignored.

The party alleged that the crime took place in a private school and that instead of immediately informing the authorities, the school management tried to hush up the matter after the child’s parents raised the issue. According to the editorial, police action began only after the parents themselves approached the authorities, leading to the arrest of the accused bus driver.

The Sena further claimed that serious violations were found during the investigation. The school bus was allegedly running without proper permission and did not have a female attendant, which is mandatory under safety rules. Action was taken only after the incident came to light, exposing weak enforcement of existing regulations.

Calling it a disturbing pattern, Saamana pointed out that Badlapur had witnessed a similar case in the past, where schoolgirls were assaulted and the management allegedly attempted a cover-up. The party said such repeated incidents show that lessons have not been learned and accountability remains missing.

The editorial also questioned the message being sent when people linked to serious allegations are given political protection or positions of influence. It warned that this creates fearlessness among offenders and erodes public trust in the law.

Taking aim at government welfare campaigns aimed at women and girls, the Sena asked how slogans and schemes matter if safety is not guaranteed. It accused the government of reacting only after tragedies occur, instead of preventing them through strict monitoring and enforcement.