Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar joined the protest in Badlapur, administered oath to the people and addressed a public meeting. Sharad Pawar said, “We have gathered here against a sad and worrying incident. Not a single day passes in Maharashtra now when we don’t hear news of atrocities against women. This is the same state where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj protected the honor of women. When such a case came to the notice of Maharaj, he immediately took strict action and got the accused’s hands chopped off.”
He further said, “The government should take this incident seriously. To say that the opposition is doing politics when it raises its voice or protests against an incident shows how insensitive the government is.”
During the protest organized against the Badlapur incident, NCP leader Supriya Sule strongly targeted the government. She said, “Babasaheb Ambedkar has given rights to everyone, but incidents of atrocities against women are increasing in the state. Some incidents are being repeated again and again. Police negligence has come to light in some cases, and people no longer fear the police. Many incidents like drugs and Koita gang have also taken place in Pune, in view of which I strongly condemn such incidents.”
Sule further said, “The government’s statement that the people who gathered in Badlapur were outsiders shows complete insensitivity. I would like to say that they were all Indians. I have never seen such an insensitive government. If the government is unable to protect the people, we will go to every school and talk to the people and take responsibility for the safety of our daughters ourselves. Our protest will continue until the accused are hanged.”
With this statement of Supriya Sule, questions were raised on the working style of the state government and demand was made to take strict steps for the safety of women.