The Shiv Sena (UBT) has criticised the Maharashtra government over what it described as a worsening law and order situation, with particular concern over alleged crimes against women, girls and children across the state.
In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana on Friday, August 21, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction questioned whether the state government and police machinery were doing enough to prevent serious crimes, rather than acting only after offences have taken place.
The editorial claimed that Maharashtra, once regarded as a relatively safe state for women, now ranks second in the country in crimes against women. It also cited the Chief Minister's statement in the state legislature that Maharashtra ranks eighth nationally in overall crime.
The party described the situation as a serious failure of the state's security system and questioned the government's response to the growing public concern.
The editorial particularly highlighted recent cases in Pune district, which is widely regarded as Maharashtra's cultural and educational centre.
It referred to the recent alleged sexual assault and murder of a nine-year-old girl in Pimpalvandi village in Junnar taluka. According to the editorial, the accused, a 25-year-old man, allegedly took the child from her home on the pretext of teaching her to ride a bicycle.
The girl was allegedly taken to a nearby sugarcane field, where she was sexually assaulted and killed. The accused reportedly concealed her body and later participated in the search for the missing child.
Police reportedly identified him after CCTV footage showed him with the girl on a bicycle. He subsequently allegedly confessed to the crime and helped investigators locate the body.
Pune Rural Police officials have said that a charge sheet would be filed within 15 days and that the case would be pursued in a fast-track court.
However, the Shiv Sena (UBT) editorial questioned whether assurances of speedy investigation and trial could, by themselves, prevent similar crimes in the future.
The editorial also referred to the earlier Nasrapur case in Bhor taluka, where a 65-year-old accused reportedly received a death sentence within 58 days.
The party questioned why another alleged crime against a child could occur despite the swift legal action in the earlier case. It argued that arrests and convictions are important but said the government must also strengthen preventive measures and deterrence.
The editorial pointed to several other recent cases to underline its concerns about women's and children's safety.
In Hingoli district's Hatta area of Vasmat taluka, a girl with a disability was allegedly lured into a sugarcane field with biscuits and sexually assaulted by four people on August 13. The incident reportedly came to light after her parents noticed changes in her behaviour. Three of the accused have reportedly been arrested.
The party also cited an alleged sexual assault involving a 14-year-old girl in Nalasopara, where two youths were accused of recording and circulating footage of the incident on social media.
Another case mentioned by the editorial involved an alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in Bhayandar, reportedly involving six accused. In Wakad, Pune, a 65-year-old man was reportedly arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old child.
The Thackeray-led faction argued that police arrests and court proceedings address crimes after they occur but questioned whether the government is taking adequate steps to prevent such offences.
The editorial further alleged that criminals may be emboldened by perceived political protection. This allegation has not been independently established.
The party claimed that more than 23,000 cases involving violence and murder against young boys and girls have been registered in Maharashtra in recent years. It used these figures to demand greater accountability from the state administration.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) placed responsibility for the state's law and order situation on the ruling administration and criticised Chief Minister and Home Department for what it described as inadequate action.
The party argued that the government cannot limit its response to arrests and court cases after crimes occur. It called for stronger preventive policing, improved protection for vulnerable groups and measures capable of creating an effective deterrent.
The editorial concluded by holding the state government responsible for addressing the growing concerns over women's and children's safety and urged the administration to respond more effectively to public outrage over serious crimes.
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